Council’s affordable housing plan for old police station site

A vacant site where Cupar Police Station stood could be used for affordable housing.

Fife Council is to transfer the land on Carslogie Road to its housing service for the construction of new homes.

It is one of three new sites in the third phase of the council’s affordable housing building programme, the others being in Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath.

The police station was demolished after it closed in 2013 and officers moved to Waterend Road.

Developer Balmoral Construction had wanted to build a 70-bed care home on the site but its first proposal was rejected by both Fife Council and a Scottish Government reporter.

A second planning application with a redrafted design was withdrawn.

Councillors will be asked to approve the transfer of the site to the housing revenue account for the sum of £300,000, half its market value.

They will also be asked to allow the transfer of the former sites of Jenny Gray House, in Lochgelly, for £65,000 and Valley House, Cowdenbeath, for £55,000.

A report to the assets and corporate services committee by estates surveyor Gordon Strang states: “Plans are being developed for the sites and will include a range of house types designed to contribute towards meeting the housing need for each of the local housing strategy areas with 30% specific needs, unless otherwise stated.”

As the sites have already been cleared, construction works will begin as soon as possible if consent is given.

Fife Council pledged in 2016 to build between 400 and 450 new affordable homes between 2017 and 2019.