MUIR Homes has revealed it plans to appeal against a decision to reject the housebuilder’s proposal to deliver 35 new homes on a vacant brownfield site in Dalgety Bay.
The firm said that further to ‘extensive consultation’ with the local community and in the context of huge demand for housing, Muir had submitted plans for the properties at Fulmar Way.
However, the application has been refused.
Nicola McCowan Hill, land & planning manager at Muir Homes said, “We are very disappointed that this planning application for these much needed homes which would transform a brownfield site, which has been derelict for over 20 years and already zoned for housing, has been rejected. We will be appealing this decision.
“This is an allocated housing site with tangible local support. There is clear housing need for affordable and private homes in the area.
“We have undertaken extensive and thorough consultation with the local community who are supportive of our plans and recognise the desperate need for new housing in Dalgety Bay. This development will create nine homes for affordable rent in partnership with Kingdom Housing Association and a further 26 for private sale in a market with strong demand for family homes.
“The site is a derelict eyesore, with no other applications or uses being proposed. Our plan would transform derelict site into high quality homes for local families. Along with the attractive and environmentally friendly new homes, it will improve the amenity of the whole area for new and existing residents with new footpath connections, better usable open space and playpark.
“It is important to mention that there are no objections to this proposed development other than transportation in relation to site access. We have bent over backwards to consider and adapt our plans to take this into account to help create these much needed private and affordable new homes for the local community. We had originally proposed one access route which was discouraged so have amended our plans based on this feedback from the local community, yet our plan is still being rejected.”
Muir said all 35 homes would have photovoltaic panels for electricity generation and be built to a ‘high standard’ to reduce heat loss.
A previous planning application for the land was rejected with one of the major concerns of local residents being the proposed access from Otterston Grove. Muir Homes said it listened to these concerns and proposed the vehicular access to be from Fulmar Way. However, planning officials recommended that councillors on the west and central planning committee reject the plans on the basis that access from Fulmar Way is not suitable.
Muir Homes claimed it carried out its own ‘thorough and rigorous’ consultation with residents and businesses prior to submitting the application and found there to be support for new housing in the local area and ‘no strong planning objections’. Most responses, the housebuilder said, were supportive of the plans given the access is from Fulmar Way.
Planning officials also recommended refusal because Muir Homes do not own the land for the proposed footpath link to Meadowfield. Muir Homes revealed it is already in discussions with the owner of the land, Fife Housing Group, to ensure these links will be delivered alongside the housing.
The development is designated for up to 50 houses within Fife Council’s Local Development Plan. The site has lain vacant for more than 20 years and was previously used for industrial purposes. Muir Homes added that it will deliver new footpaths linking the site to the residential area of Meadowfield, landscaped open space areas, with tree planting and domestic gardens ‘significantly improving’ the amenity and biodiversity.
Nicola McCowan Hill added, “It is really disappointing that the application has been rejected because of access from Fulmar Way. We know the only other option, from Otterston Grove, was not popular with local residents. The planning officer previously noted the unpopularity, and unsuitability, in their report to the planning committee who refused that application.
“We undertook our own thorough consultation and we know local people want the site to be developed for housing and accessed from Fulmar Way. This would allow this derelict land to be used as homes for dozens of families.
“Given the site is zoned for housing in the council’s own Local Development Plan, there would be pressure for a new proposal which would revert to access from Otterston Grove, if these plans were not accepted.
“On the proposed pedestrian link to Meadowfield, we are currently in contact with Fife Housing Group. We would understand if this was added as a condition for planning permission, but this is certainly not a reason to refuse the application altogether.
“Muir Homes is a reputable, family-run, local housebuilder and employer. We would relish the opportunity to bring this land back into use and deliver much needed homes in the area. This would positively contribute to the local economy with new jobs and investment in the area.”
