Plan for 158 houses approved

A HOUSING development that will increase the size of a village beside the Tay by up to 40% has been approved by councillors.

Persimmon Homes has been given planning permission to build 158 houses at Wormit Farm, off Kilmany Road, despite fears the scheme could overwhelm local services and roads.

Ta y v i e w M e d i c a l Practice, said to be already oversubscribed and understaffed, would be par ticularly badly affected by a population increase of more than 500 people, objectors said.

In all, 82 people objected to the development – close to where a further 44 homes are already under construction – with many saying it was out of character with the existing village and would destroy the landscape on the southern approach to Wormit.

Planning officers recommended it be approved subject to a number of conditions, however, saying the land was zoned for housing in the local development plan.

Case officer Alex Laidler told the north-east Fife planning committee Persimmon would be required to contribute to the £600,000 cost of a two-classroom extension at Wormit Primary and to help increase capacity at the new Madras College in St Andrews.

He said Fife Council could not request contributions towards GP practices from developers.

The affordable housing portion will comprise 50 houses and will be taken on by Kingdom Housing Association for rent, with legislation preventing them from being sold on the open market.