The consortium behind plans for the northern expansion of Cupar has expressed delight at progress being made to develop a masterplan for the site.
Investigation work is now being carried out across the entire landholding for Cupar North, where a development is proposed for 1,400 residential units, a care home, hotel and primary school.
There is also space for retail, business and general industry, community use, open space and landscape works.
The developers comprising Persimmon Homes, Headon Developments and VICO Properties have started what they describe as a comprehensive three-week site investigation exercise that will further assist in informing the design of the development and the associated relief road.
The findings of the site investigation will be submitted to Fife Council along with the subsequent planning application.
Furthermore, a community groups’ workshop was held last Thursday, in consultation with Cupar Community Council, to discuss aspects of the development.
These included access roads, pedestrian and cycle routes, the new primary school and public open space.
Feedback from the workshop, the site investigation report and ongoing technical reports will be used to add the next level of detail to the masterplan.
David Wardrop, planning consultant for Cupar North, said: “We had an excellent turnout at the workshop with representatives from a wide range of the town’s community groups.”
More than 25 representatives from the community council, the Association of Businesses in Cupar and District (ABCD), Cupar in Bloom, Sustainable Cupar, Castlehill and Kilmaron schools’ parent councils, North East Fife Preservation Society and Friends of Adamson Hospital all took part in a more detailed discussion on matters arising from a consultation event last October.
The consortium will provide a summary of the points made on the night and distribute this to the groups ahead of its second public consultation event. A further public consultation event will be held in late April, at which more detailed proposals, as well as more comprehensive technical information, will be made available to residents.
Mr Wardrop added: “We are delighted with the progress made to the masterplan and the response from community groups has been excellent; any feedback at this stage will help us in formulating a plan that is attractive to the town.
“More than 600 residents and community stakeholders were present in October for the first public consultation event and we would encourage all to attend in April so the views of the community can be taken into consideration on key aspects in the development.”
Comments during the consultation periods can be made by visiting www.cuparnorth.co.uk.