‘Unwelcome’ plan for new development in village thrown out

Campion Homes has failed in its latest bid to build 80 new houses at the western edge of Aberdour.

The housebuilder appealed to the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division after Fife Council’s west planning committee rejected its plans in July.

The reporter overseeing the case said the development, proposed for beside Nether Bouprie Farm would be a “prominent and unwelcome intrusion” and threw it out on the grounds of landscape impact.

The reporter said: “The new development would encroach on to this part of the local landscape area. While the character of the wider local landscape area would not be fundamentally changed, I agree with those opposing this proposal that the loss of this very attractive part of the area in such a sensitive location would be very undesirable.”

The scheme is one of three major planning applications for the village on the table.

A Cala proposal for 85 new homes on farmland to the east of Aberdour was rejected at the same council meeting and is also subject to an appeal.

The owners of Hillside School want to build around 125 new homes at their site of Main Street.

Welcoming the Nether Bouprie decision, Labour MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath Lesley Laird said: “I’m delighted by the Scottish reporter’s decision to refuse this application.

“They’ve listened to the voice of the community and taken on board the valid reasons why a development like this is inappropriate for Aberdour.

“Of course, we now await the reporters’ decision on Cala’s proposal for Main Street in Aberdour.

“It would be a great Christmas present for weary residents in the village if the reporter rejects this hostile application too.”