By Lars Niven

A LABOUR politician wants an explanation from council officials after they pulled the plug on a plan to build a supermarket in Lochgelly.

Mark Hood, who represents the town, says he wants to make sure the proper procedures were followed before Macdonald Estates’ bid was rejected.

The Edinburgh developer was seeking outline consent for a supermarket and petrol station off Auchterderran Road.

Its proposal for the industrial estate site was backed by many in the town, including members of the Lochgelly Community Forum.

However, planners rejected the application because Macdonald Estates failed to carry out a transport impact study.

Normally, decisions on such important developments are made by a committee of councillors, in this case the Cowdenbeath area committee.

The application never reached the committee.

Mr Hood yesterday told The Courier he was baffled by the decision as an extension could have been granted to the developers.

“I’m keen to make sure that decisions taken by planning officers are transparent and can be understood by the community,” he said.

“This is particularly important when decisions are taken by officers without the benefit of a committee decision taken in public.

“I have been asked by the town’s community forum, who are currently assisting with the community consultation for the application, to review the manner in which this application has been handled by officers.”

Eileen McKenna, chairwoman of the community forum, believes the planning officials involved acted with undue haste.

“The application seems to have been rejected because a transport survey has not been produced,” she said.

“Our understanding is that an extension had been applied for to allow a transport survey to be completed once the schools were back.”

Ms McKenna added, “This request was rejected and the planning application was turned down by officers.

“This seems a little heavy-handed by the council officers given the potential importance a new supermarket may (have) for the town.

“We think it would have been better to give the developer the extra time required to make sure the information that they provided is accurate.”

She added, “As part of our role as the community forum we have been assisting in the consultation as we believe that it is important that as many people as possible in the community get the chance to give their view on the proposed supermarket.

“This process is not complete and we should be allowed the additional time to gather residents’ opinions.”

Mary Stewart, of Fife Council’s development services department, said, “We give all would-be developers full advice on the information they need to submit for a planning application.

“This information plays a key part in helping us fully assess the development they are proposing.

“In this particular case in December 2008 the developers were advised they needed to carry out a transportation assessment.

“However, the application was submitted in April without the assessment and it became clear that the required work had not been done.”

She added, “In these circumstances, the council could not properly assess the impact of the proposed supermarket on the local road network.

“On August 3, the developer sought an extension of time to allow them to submit the assessment and to conclude a public consultation.

“The application was already outwith the two-month period allowed by the legislation for determination.”

She confirmed Macdonald Estates can submit a new application once it has carried out the transportation assessment and public consultation.