By Lars Niven

FIFE COUNCILLORS have backed plans to remove a group of travelling people from an illegal encampment in Lochgelly.

Families on two sites set up without planning permission on the Cartmore industrial estate will be told to move on.

If they refuse they face being taken to court and could be forced to pay the costs involved in removing them.

That could include the costs of preparing official reports and meetings with the procurator fiscal in Dunfermline.

However, the families are likely to be given several months to find a new home.

The decision was taken earlier this week by members of the Cowdenbeath area committee at their monthly meeting.

It followed a complaint to the council about unauthorised development on part of the estate.

The committee were asked to give officials the authority to take enforcement action against one of the sites, known as site 2.

They had already backed similar action involving the other development, known as 1A, last month.

It is understood site 2 was occupied late last year, while the development at 1A took place this year.

Large caravans were installed, fences put up and a permanent toilet block built.

Neither site has planning permission.

In a report prepared for the committee, team leader Mary Stewart told councillors the change of use from industrial land to a travelling people’s site represented a “breach of planning control.”

She stated, “Following an investigation of a complaint regarding a similar unauthorised development on the adjoining site at 1A, it was noted that the change of use of this site had also been undertaken.

“The site is currently occupied by two caravans, which appear to be in full residential occupation.

“A permanent toilet block has also been constructed on the site and various other minor works such as the construction of boundary fences and surfacing works have been carried out.

“The site is accessed from the adjacent site at 1A Cartmore industrial estate.”

She added, “It is clear that a breach of planning control has occurred on this site and that permission does not exist for the use of the site to provide accommodation for travelling people.

“Non-compliance with an enforcement notice may result in the council reporting matters to the procurator fiscal and costs will include preparation of reports and meetings with the procurator’s office.

“The council can also take direct action in these circumstances.

“In this situation, direct action would be the council’s preferred option should compliance with enforcement not be adhered to, as this would effectively secure the re-instatement of industrial use of the site.”

SNP councillor for Lochgelly and Cardenden Ian Chisholm said yesterday, “When it was brought to our attention I supported the committee in calling for enforcement action to make sure the site is restored to industrial use.

“We are in the process of trying to regenerate Lochgelly and trying to get professional businesses into that industrial park.

“If it’s turned into an unofficial encampment it is not very professional looking.

“On top of that the planning regulations are there to be adhered to.

“Nobody else would be able to get away with building houses in that location.”

He added, “There is an official settlement just across the road, so the council’s responsibilities have been discharged and there are adequate sites for people.”

The owner of 1A made an application for retrospective planning permission but that was rejected by the committee last month.

It argued such use would constitute “undesirable residential use” in a predominantly business and industrial area and could adversely affect business development.

It also stated road safety could be compromised.

The committee backed the authorisation of powers of enforcement.