WORK has begun on the site of a controversial housing development in Aberdour.

Cala Homes is set to deliver 63 four- and five-bedroom homes, while 21 affordable homes will also be created on a site south of Main Street.

The new Inchcolm Green development within the village has proved contentious with villagers.

There were more than 800 objections to Cala’s application for planning permission in principle and, although council officers recommended approval, councillors on the west planning committee voted to reject the plans in July 2018.

An appeal was then made to the Scottish Government’s planning and environmental appeals department which overturned the decision and granted permission in May 2019.

Cala said at the time that the Government reporter “recognised the severity of the housing shortfall in Fife”.

Ahead of the recent construction start, CALA Homes said they wrote to residents closest to the development to let them know exactly what will be happening over the coming weeks.

Steven Cooper, planning manager with CALA Homes (East), said: “Our team has now begun on site and we will continue to be in close contact with the community throughout the process and look forward to working with them for the duration of the development.”

Cala Homes is planning for a sales launch in Spring, with the first new residents moving in towards the end of 2022.

Since the plans were first announced, the company said they've had a high level of enquiries from prospective buyers.

Steven added: “We have had interest from both local residents and those from out with the village looking to secure a new home in Aberdour and we anticipate this will continue over the coming months.”

The four- and five-bedroom detached and semi-detached new homes will include a number of carbon and energy-reducing measures such as provision for electric vehicle charging and PV panels which connect to a new smart hot water system, reducing hot water energy consumption by up to 20 per cent.

But, as the Press reported earlier this month, Richard Luxmoore, a former head of nature conservation at the National Trust for Scotland, claimed the homes would be "obsolete" in a few years' time and could leave their owners having to pay up to £20,000 extra to make them more energy-efficient.

The affordable homes will include two-bedroom cottage flats and three-bedroom terraced homes.

Additionally, the new development will result in payment contributions to Aberdour Primary School, footpath provision, upgrades to Silver Sands play equipment and strategic transport projects in the area.

The layout of the development will ensure views across the development towards Inchcolm Abbey and Aberdour Obelisk are maintained.