Social housing plans that would have dramatically increased a Fife village’s population have been abandoned due to spiralling costs.
Fife Council wanted to build 24 houses at Lady Nina Square in Coaltown of Balgonie, which would have more than doubled the area’s population.
A report by Scottish Water revealed substantial works would be required, however, to resolve drainage management and low water pressure issues that have plagued the village.
These associated costs would push the cost of development well above the council’s value for money benchmark, leading to it scrapping the plans.
Residents welcomed the decision after they had previously aired concerns about the design of the houses and their impact on the community, including increased traffic and a large number of incoming residents.
Objector Danny Brown said: “This survey should have been done before they instructed an architect to draw up three different sets of plans.
“The last thing we wanted was new housing and these plans have caused a lot of anxiety to the residents.”
Councillor Ross Vettraino received complaints about low water pressure in Coaltown of Balgonie and called for a detailed study to be carried out.
He said: “I have had so many complaints that I am surprised that the council did not examine the parameters associated with water pressure before it advanced the proposal for a housing development as far as it did.”
Both Mr Brown and Mr Vettraino remain concerned that scrapping the housing development does not provide a long-term water solution in Coaltown.
Mr Vettraino said: “This is not the end of the matter. I am convinced that there is a problem with water pressure throughout Coaltown of Balgonie.
“The solution to that problem may be expensive, but Scottish water has a duty to ensure a water supply, which is both satisfactory and adequate throughout the whole of Coaltown of Balgonie.
“A water supply that isn’t of adequate pressure, for example, to enable people to shower at certain times of the day just isn’t good enough.
“I have had many complaints and anyone who is experiencing inadequate water pressure and who hasn’t already contacted me should do so without delay.”
Fife Council investment and development team leader David Robertson said due to the significant cost, “the decision has been taken not to proceed with any works at Lady Nina Square and focus efforts on meeting our new-build affordable housing targets for the wider Glenrothes local housing strategy area elsewhere”.
He added: “For any development, plans have to be drawn up to allow meaningful consultation with relevant agencies such as Scottish Water.”