Development in Fife for next 10 years laid out in new document

A document mapping out Fife’s development over the next decade and sets aside land for construction of more than 26,000 homes is now in place.

Fife Council has adopted FIFEplan following its approval by Scottish ministers and the implementation of required modifications.

The local development plan will now guide progress in the region until 2026, replacing the three local plans for Mid Fife, St Andrews and East Fife and Dunfermline and West Fife.

Ministers had ordered changes to be made to the sections setting out strategies for Rosyth waterfront and Cupar North before the document come into force.

Bill Lindsay, development plan service manager, said: “The plan sets out the planning policies and proposals for the development and use of land across the kingdom.

“Our focus now moves to working with the development sector, communities and other stakeholders to deliver the plan’s proposals for strategic development, supporting new housing development and the infrastructure for growth.”

Councillor Altany Craik, convener of the economy, tourism, strategic planning and transportation committee, said: “This is the last step in producing Fife’s first local development plan and I acknowledge the involvement of all those who took part in its preparation, particularly the communities and individuals who got involved.”

Thousands of representations were made by individuals, community groups, businesses, charities and public bodies as the plan was developed, starting in 2012.

The modifications require a development framework for Rosyth waterfront to be prepared to coordinate sites and uses.

Another stipulation was that development can only proceed at Cupar North once key partners commit to a programme of infrastructure delivery.

FIFEplan is available to view at Kingdom House in Glenrothes, and in Fife Council’s public libraries.

It can also be downloaded at fifedirect.org.uk/fifeplan.