Ambitious Cupar ‘western gateway’ plan set for approval

FIFE: Masterplan for site envisages 168 homes, open spaces, cycle route, recreational areas and footpaths

Ambitious plans to create a new western gateway for Cupar are set to be rubberstamped next week.

Fife Council planners have recommended approval of Perth-based developer A&J Stephen’s application for 55 houses at Gilliesfaulds West – and a proposed site layout for up to a further 113 houses – ahead of the north-east Fife planning committee considering the issue tomorrow.

Councillors will be asked to give the plan the green light in spite of 11 letters of objection from concerned third parties.

With part of the site falling in the Cupar North strategic development area (SDA), the Cupar North Consortium fears approval of this development could undermine its plans for 1,400 houses, while some locals have also criticised the phased approach to planning, describing any future applications as a “fait accompli” if this initial one is approved.

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The community council agreed to support the application recognising the potential for an early delivery of affordable housing and transport links.

CUPAR COMMUNITY COUNCIL SPOKESMAN

However, Fife Council planners have stressed planning permission will be needed for any remaining residential units and that will need to be gained through the usual application process.

The submitted masterplan for the site west of Cupar and to the south of the A91 envisages 168 homes with a mix and range of housing types, new employment land, open spaces and recreational areas and footpaths and cycle routes.

A new gateway roundabout on the A91, complete with a public art centrepiece, forms part of the proposals to welcome visitors entering Cupar from the west, with a spur to be provided from roundabout to provide future access to the rest of the Cupar North SDA.

Cupar Community Council has backed the development.

A spokesman said: “The community council agreed to support the application recognising the potential for an early delivery of affordable housing and transport links providing future connections to the proposed Cupar North development and for a southern link option longer-term, should this be required.”

A spokesman for A&J Stephen said the development would help the company continue to support 150 jobs and would build on the success of new schemes in the likes of Perth, Guildtown, Errol, Pitlochry, Kinnesswood and Brechin.

An artist’s impression of the proposed development being considered by Fife Council planners.