By Gordon Berry

A CUPAR councillor has said he is “horrified” by the look of the dental centre rapidly taking shape on a prominent site beside Cupar’s Adamson Hospital.

The comment comes from Independent Bryan Poole in the wake of two separate meetings involving residents who say they feel “stitched up” by the way the planning application appeared to be pushed through north-east Fife area committee.

Yesterday Mr Poole said there were two meetings last week, the first involving residents alone, and second with representatives from planning, transport, NHS, the architects, contractors, a lighting expert and three local councillors.

He said there are three main concerns, involving possible light pollution, security of the site to avoid it becoming a gathering place for youngsters, and screening and landscaping.

Mr Poole said there was a heated exchange about the last issue, and the impact of the structure.

The centre stands on a site built out of fairly steeply sloping land and Mr Poole said photographs were produced to show how the area has been affected so far.

“Personally I am horrified at how the structure looks, though the architects were at pains to say that the site is at its worst just now and will not look as ‘harsh’ when properly landscaped and completed.

“The architects have agreed to prepare a 3D display for the residents for the meeting in around four weeks’ time.”

The councillor went on to say that unless there is a considerable improvement in the situation as the works near completion it is difficult to escape the thought that those neighbours whose properties are closest to the centre will have a negative impact on quality of life.

“It looks to me as if the facility will dwarf neighbouring houses, which themselves are big structures, and will reduce natural daylight pretty substantially.

“I think everyone—neighbours and local councillors and the other councillors on the area committee —anticipated a building much more in keeping with the surroundings and built more into the slope which would have reduced the height.

“Instead it is being built on top of a platform which makes the structure much bigger than anyone envisaged—as my fellow councillor Roger Guy stated it is like a Norman castle.

“The Courier has already reported the upset of local residents who have described the building as “monstrous,” and who have claimed that there was no attempt by NHS Fife to engage them properly before the planning application was decided.

They said they were led to believe there would be open discussion and a forum, but this was pre-empted when the application was whipped into the committee and work began on the site.

NHS Fife has apologised for disruption to residents but added it has followed the planning rules as laid out by Fife Council, has not received any special dispensation for the development, and has made several changes to original proposals to meet planners’ requirements.