A MAJOR residential development near Townhill Country Park has come a step closer after a planning application was approved by Fife Council for the second time.

Perth-based I&H Brown have given planning permission in principle for a residential development, complete with open space areas, path and cycle network and associated development, at Colton, on land to the East of the A823 at Wellwood.

They initially received approval back in 2021, but the necessary legal agreements were not secured before a change in legislation came into being.

This meant the plans had to be reassessed under the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) which was introduced in February last year.

Planner Steve Iannarelli explained to members of Fife Council's West and Central Planning Committee: "We were originally minded to approve the proposed development subject to the conclusion of legal agreement.

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"This had not been signed in time before the NPF4 was adopted so it is back to be assessed against the NPF4."

A previous sticking point for I&H Brown has been the provision of funding for school provision where the developer was required to build new schools in areas where homes are built.

Back in 2021, they asked Fife Council to pay the upfront cost, which they would return after selling more houses.

However, the council was wary after a previous contractor went bust before a similar agreement was completed.

This week's planning report said other options were now being discussed which would provide an alternative solution.

It stated: "The previously agreed approach remains similar, but the Council has since explored alternative options to secure the necessary primary school capacity to accommodate demand within this part of Dunfermline.

"A preferred solution has been identified but requires final Council approval prior to being confirmed. Should this be agreed, this option will accommodate primary school educational demand from the proposal and other sites within the North Dunfermline SDA, Wellwood SDA and the nearby SDA sites.

"The applicant has agreed to the principal of this updated primary school solution and is working with the Council to finalise this approach.

"In the meantime, they have agreed to concluding the Section 75 Legal Agreement requiring their proportionate share towards any final primary school education solution, once confirmed.

"In addition, contributions for secondary school education will be provided in accordance with the previous approach within the original Committee Report."

Planners deemed that the development would have "no significant impact" in terms of residential amenity, transportation, drainage or natural heritage subject to mitigation and controls being implemented in the detailed applications and during the development.

Committee members approved their recommendation that the plans be approved.