Ditch ‘stagnant’ plan for Cupar North, says frustrated councillor

Expansion and relief road has failed to materialise, 10 years on

A “stagnant” plan for hundreds of new houses across the north of Cupar should be ditched, a councillor for the town has urged.

The Cupar North strategic development area (SDA) was mapped out in the 2009 Fife Structure Plan, setting aside land for 1,400 new homes, and again in the 2017 FIFEplan.

But despite a consortium of housebuilders taking on the scheme, the expansion and associated relief road has failed to materialise 10 years on.

Cupar Liberal Democrat councillor Margaret Kennedy said it is now time for a complete rethink.

She said the plan’s stagnation meant it should be reviewed and alternative sites found to allow a more holistic approach to development.

Ms Kennedy said: “This area has been under consideration for planning for a lengthy period of time now, and has caused the residents of Cupar a lot of unnecessary uncertainty.

“One of the major challenges faced by councils is a lack of clarity about how to proceed in the case of non-delivery or no clear way forward.

“Given the likelihood that the FIFEplan is going to be reviewed, and the process will have to start from scratch, I feel strongly that the Cupar North expansion is no longer competent given the situation.”

It was indicated that the Cupar North SDA would be set aside if it was not at the point of delivery or in meaningful masterplan discussions by the time of a new development plan.

It is understood the council is to start reviewing FIFEplan later this year.

Ms Kennedy said: “Planning officials should follow through on what has been previously stated and provide clarity for residents, as many are still very concerned about the prospect of further delay to the current thinking.”

Pam Ewen, the council’s chief officer for planning, said: “The intention is to review the local development plan.

“However, we have not set a date for commencing a review.

“As part of that review, as is normal, we will reassess development sites which do not have planning consent.

“A planning application for Cupar North has been with the council for some time.

“There are a number of assessments which the applicant requires to update and submit for the planning authority to assess the application.

“Cupar North is a large development site and the large strategic development sites do take some time to be assessed and planning determined.”

“Given the likelihood that the FIFEplan is going to be reviewed, and the process will have to start from scratch, I feel strongly that the Cupar North expansion is no longer competent given the situation. MARGARET KENNEDY

The Cupar North strategic development area (SDA) was mapped out in the 2009 Fife Structure Plan.