Councillors to have final say after objections to Wormit housing plans flood in.

Elected members to review proposed plans for 161 new properties objected to by locals

Councillors in north-east Fife are to be given the final say on new plans for housing in Wormit after a flurry of objections to the proposals.

Persimmon Homes’ blueprint for 161 new properties – part of the second phase of its Wormit Farm project – will have to go before local elected members later this year following the submission of around 50 formal objections from concerned local residents.

The developer has stressed that its plan presents an “excellent opportunity” to provide a mixture of new family homes on a site to the west of Kilmany Road already allocated for housing.

But critics argue too many houses are planned for the area, with most objectors suggesting the infrastructure could not cope.

Local historian and author Mairi Shiels believes the massive development – adding to the 44 already being built in the area – is “entirely unsuitable”.

“With 200 new houses in total there would be a possibility of a further 300 cars to absorb into the local traffic system causing traffic congestion and further deterioration to our road surfaces, to say nothing of the increased air pollution caused by emissions,” she said.

“Can we really expect the small Wormit Primary School to take in a further 200 to 300 pupils when they are already close to capacity?

“And perhaps most important of all, what sort of effect would this population increase have on the completely overstretched Tayview Medical Practice?”

Local woman Marion Todd fears the development would “swamp the village”, changing its character completely.

Despite the large number of objections, statutory consultees including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Transport Scotland, Scottish Water and Scottish Natural Heritage have all indicated they have no objections to the application, which will be considered by north-east Fife’s planning committee.

A supporting statement from Persimmon Homes, submitted along with the proposals, said: “The design solution is an opportunity to provide a pleasant and welcoming new neighbourhood within the community of Wormit.”

“Can we really expect the small Wormit Primary School to take in a further 200 to 300 pupils? MAIRI SHIELS