CALA Homes has lodged an appeal to overturn Fife Council’s decision to refuse the use of a temporary car park next to its new development in Aberdour.

The space for 10 cars was initially requested by the local authority, to mitigate the impact of the housebuilding works on Main Street, but they later told the firm it couldn't be used and rejected a retrospective planning application.

As work progresses with the development of 84 homes, and with no spaces for contractors to leave their vehicles, Cala is concerned it will lead to more on-street parking and hope "common sense will prevail".

Steven Cooper, planning manager at Cala Homes (East), said: “There were six objections, however feedback following the refusal decision suggests that a large number of local residents want the temporary car park to be made available for use over the duration of works at Inchcolm Green.

"The car park continues to be used by local residents outwith working hours and at weekends.

“We were encouraged by the local response to the refusal and have decided to proceed with an appeal."

The council refused planning permission in the interests of safeguarding the countryside and due to the potential for flooding.

A decision report added: "Insufficient information has been submitted to allow a full assessment of the impact on flooding and drainage, therefore, it has not been possible to determine whether the proposal would have a detrimental impact in this regard.

"As such, the proposal would not be acceptable."

Cala was "incredibly disappointed" by the decision and said there was a "sense of disbelief" in Aberdour that consent had been refused.

It has now submitted an appeal to the council's planning review body.

Mr Cooper added: “We have undertaken a further review of drainage measures at the car park site.

"An additional soakaway is proposed and we hope that this is sufficient to address concerns raised.

"It is the local community who lost out through refusal of the application, and with the car park now only required until December 2025, we hope that common sense will prevail.”

Cala has already won an appeal in relation to the Aberdour site.

The council had refused planning permission for the development off Main Street, at the east end of the village, in July 2018.

The proposals had attracted more than 800 objections.

However the Scottish Government overturned the decision and granted Cala's appeal the following year.

The Inchcolm Green development will consist of 63 family homes, three-, four- and five-bedroom properties, and 21 affordable homes.