A Fife village could be completely transformed if plans to construct hundreds of new homes are given the go-ahead.
The Courier can reveal Persimmon Homes has unveiled an ambitious masterplan for 357 residential units with associated engineering, landscape and infrastructure works on land at Seggie Farm to the south-west of Guardbridge.
A formal planning application has now been lodged with Fife Council in relation to the near 14 hectare site to the north of the A91 Cupar Road, and approval of what the local authority has itself classed as a “major development” would increase the historic Fife village’s population by around 50%.
Design and access statements have highlighted a number of site constraints that would have to be overcome, such as Seggie House and Walled Garden and Seggie Farm Cottages to the west of the site and an existing protection order within a tree belt enclosing the site.
Significant sloping towards the northern and eastern edge of the site, and Cupar Road to the southern boundary and existing housing to the eastern boundary would provide challenges.
A spokesperson for Persimmon said the proposal presents an “excellent opportunity” for a site allocated for housing, adding: “The development aims to retain, where possible, key landscape features of the site including the mature woodland which provides natural enclosure.
“The generous areas of open space throughout the site will provide amenity use in an attractive setting.
“The layout will be clear and easy to navigate and will provide excellent pedestrian and cycle path connectivity within and to the surrounding area.
“The design solution is an opportunity to provide a pleasant and welcoming new neighbourhood within the community.”
As part of the blueprint, the developers want to create a new pedestrian/cycle route connecting Cupar Road with the existing core path and cycle route to the east, and a new primary road connecting Cupar Road with Main Street in the form of a tree-lined avenue.
The plans also recognise that “special care” will have to be taken in relation to the design and layout of the development to protect the setting of Seggie House and Walled Garden.
The house was built for the Haig family, who owned the nearby Seggie Whisky Distillery in Guardbridge which was later converted into a paper mill.
