Fife Council is calling for change to the Scottish planning system to empower communities, as well as manage developers’ aspirations.
It comes on the back of a controversial development earmarked for Spencerfield in west Fife.
A Scottish Government reporter granted an application for 295 houses on the greenfield site near Inverkeithing despite it being resisted by both the council and community.
Depute leader Lesley Laird has now written to communities minister Alex Neil and chief planner John McNairney to voice her concerns about decisions made before Fife’s proposed local development plan is finalised.
“A modern planning system must empower local communities to shape the development of the places they live in,” she said.
She argued that the controversial Spencerfield appeal had been allowed while the proposed Fife Local Development Plan (LDP) was still being examined.
“Fife Council’s position in the proposed LDP is that this site should not be allocated for housing, and the actions taken appear to be wholly inconsistent with the Scottish Government’s purported approach.”
She said it was confused even further with reporters dealing with the local development plan examination asking some local people for their comments about the site, despite the fact that another reporter has recently already granted planning permission on appeal.
“This raises hope and expectations that there is still an opportunity to overturn the appeal decision, when this is not the case,” she said.
“These inconsistencies send out the wrong signals to our communities, and I am concerned that the individuals and communities who have contributed to LDP will question the value of their participation in the process.
“This case gets to the heart of why the planning system in Scotland needs an overhaul.
“Despite the development being resisted by the local community, community groups and local members this development is set to go ahead.
“To truly deliver what local people want, there’s a clear need to further devolve planning powers to local authorities.”