By Claire Warrender

PLANS FOR 154 new homes on the outskirts of Leven have been thrown out by councillors amid fears they would be at serious risk of flooding.

Barratt East Scotland had submitted an outline planning application to Fife Council for 113 houses and 41 flats on land behind Leven Road, Windygates.

However, planners advised there was an unresolved objection from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) concerning the risk of flooding from the nearby Kennoway Burn, despite the submission of a flood report from Barratt.

They added that the site was not designated for housing in the local plan and no good reasons had been given to depart from it.

Lead planning officer Elspeth Cook said building on the area of land between the local bowling green and Kennoway Burn would constitute development in the countryside and added that “signifcant investment” would be needed at local schools to accommodate the extra pupils such a project would bring.

The education service had indicated a contribution of £320,400 would be sought from the developer to address the issue.

Members of the council’s Levenmouth Area Committee agreed with Ms Cook’s recommendation for refusal and unanimously rejected the plans.

A total of 11 objections had been received from members of the public concerned about the impact on primary and secondary school catchments.

Concerns were also expressed about the loss of a valuable rural area, the impact on the character of the village and the roads network and the risk of flooding due to the proximity of the burn.

In a report to the committee, Ms Cook said the application site was an area of sloping, inactive agricultural land lying to the south east of Windygates, but outwith the village’s boundary.

“If in the event that the committee were minded to approve this application the decision would be subject to notification to the Scottish Government as there is an unresolved objection from SEPA concerning the risk of flooding at the site,” she said.

“SEPA were consulted on the development and confirmed the need for a flood report. The applicants submitted a report and SEPA have advised that they still object.

“The site is not designated as a housing site in the local plan and therefore the proposal does not accord with the provisions of the development plan in this regard.

“Development of the site at this time should be considered premature as a favourable decision here may prejudice the consideration of the new Kirkcaldy and Mid Fife local plan.”

Access to the site would have been from Leven Road via a new mini roundabout between the edge of the village and the bowling club.

Although the council’s transportation service said the access point was acceptable, the design of the junction would need to be changed.

Ms Cook added, “The road system would need to be accessible by buses, and footpath links to Kennoway Road, traffic calming on Leven Road and parking would all be required.”