A major housing development planned for farmland between Kinross and Milnathort has come under fire for its “excessive scale”.
A number of objectors including Kinross Civic Trust have come forward setting out their concerns in the hope that councillors will reject the proposal.
Issues raised include loss of greenfield land, adverse noise impact, loss of view and a possible flood risk.
Council planners believe any difficulties can be overcome and recommend approval of the application in a report to go before councillors on Wednesday.
The detailed application they will consider is for 300 houses, open space, landscaping and infrastructure on land north west of Lathro Farm, Kinross.
The site is mostly agricultural land and is bisected by a watercourse, notes Nick Brian, the council’s development quality manager, in his report.
“The south of the site is bounded by established residential development and access off Gallowhill Road is available at the south west corner,” he says.
“The western boundary of the site is defined by the M90 motorway, whilst to the north are a mix of uses including commercial, light industry and residential within the settlement of Milnathort.
“The eastern boundary of the site is defined by the A922 which is the main road linking Kinross and Milnathort.”
The houses planned would range in size from two to five bedrooms and two public consultation events were held at Loch Leven Community Campus in order for the public to comment on the proposal.
Transport Scotland, SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Water have not objected to the plan but Kinross Community Council has.
They objected on the grounds that the number of houses proposed is too dense for the site and they were concerned about the potential impact on both education and health services.
The developers maintain that the project would have a positive impact on the local economy, creating 248 full-time jobs during the constriction period.
Mr Brian points out there is a longer term economic benefit saying: “The development of 300 dwellings will provide a significant increase in available expenditure for the economy of Kinross and Milnathort in particular and further afield.”
He said the estimated annual expenditure from these homes would be in the region of £1.7million which would have a “positive impact” locally.
