Castlehill Lodge Resort near Blairhall moves a step closer

Ben Jurin Architecture Ltd, of Manchester, got the go-ahead last year to transform the former Castlehill Colliery near Blairhall and place up to 100 static caravans / lodges there.

They said it could generate £9 million for the local economy and this month they've started ticking off the pre-development conditions, with a study confirming there is no contamination on the land that poses a "risk of significant harm".

An updated report on behalf of the firm was submitted to address comments made by Fife Council officers.

An aerial shot of the derelict Castlehill site.(Image: Fife Council planning papers.)

It said: "Following the site walkover and review of the available information it has been concluded that there is no contamination either on or off site which poses a significant risk of significant harm to the identified receptors and as such the site is considered safe and suitable for the intended use.

"The report further recommends that a watching brief is maintained throughout the construction of the holiday caravan park and any signs of potential contamination found are fully investigated, with appropriate remedial action taken as necessary."

At its peak almost 800 people worked at the Castlehill mine, which was owned by the National Coal Board, but it closed for good after the flooding of Longannet in 2002 ended deep coal mining in Scotland.

The change of use from "former industrial land to holiday lodge / caravan park" was agreed by councillors in August 2024.

Castlehill Lodge Resort will be established on a site that's just under 15 acres and to the west of Blairhall, off the A907 road.

The plans for Castlehill Lodge Resort include up to 100 holiday homes and two fountains. (Image: Fife Council planning papers.)

The plans include a retail unit, new trees and bushes, two fountains and a link to the nearby Dunfermline to Alloa cycle path.

The developers also offered to put on a daily bus service to Culross and transport to nearby bus stops.

The applicant said the development at Castlehill will help address a shortfall in visitor accommodation.

Planning permission came two months after proposals to redevelop the nearby Comrie Colliery - into a multi-million pound development with a hotel, golf course, holiday homes, a visitor centre, care village and new houses - were approved.

The entrance to the Castlehill site. At its peak almost 800 people worked at the mine. (Image: Fife Council planning papers.)

A new tourism development was also approved east of Kelty and close to Lochore Meadows Country Park.

Castlehill mine operated from 1965 to 1990 and, together with Bogside and Solsgirth, provided coal for the Longannet Power Station.

It was connected by a five mile tunnel.

From 1990 Castlehill continued on a care and maintenance basis until the end came in 2002.

A previous attempt to regenerate the derelict site was made in 2011 when Lomond Homes outlined proposals for "an attractive, accessible eco village" at the former mine.

However the firm later went into administration.

Ben Jurin Architecture Ltd were asked for comment but did not respond.