A couple’s business dream has turned into a nightmare after they lost a long-running battle with Fife Council.
Dr Manfredi La Manna and wife Jocelyne wanted to produce chutney at their smallholding near Largoward, where they already run a tree cultivation business.
Their hopes were finally dashed when an appeal to the Scottish Government against the council’s refusal of planning permission failed.
Dr La Manna said they had wasted two and a half years of their lives and more than £10,000 on plans thwarted by an “absurd” planning system.
He said: “This is another Fife business that will not go ahead. We have been let down by the planning system.”
The couple wanted planning permission to place polytunnels, a storage building and a farmhouse at Muirhouses Farm, where they live. They intended to grow exotic vegetables for chutney and to fund the venture they needed to sell their current home.
But planning policy prevents new houses being built in the countryside unless certain criteria are fulfilled, including supporting a rural business.
Almost a year after being lodged with the council the La Mannas’ proposal was finally approved by councillors on the North-East Fife area committee last June.
However, in an unusual move, it was called in to the central planning committee which rejected it, in part as the house was not considered essential for the rural business.
Now Scottish Government reporter Michael Shield has upheld that decision.
Dr La Manna said: “I cannot start my business and I cannot demolish some appalling outbuildings that no one can see and erect a traditional Scottish farmhouse.
“The whole system is so biased against applicants.”
In his report, Mr Shiel said: “The appellant has clearly put a great deal of time and resources into tree planting and has no doubt enhanced the condition and appearance of the land, as well as its capital value, to a significant extent.
“However, if he was to sell the existing house, there is no evidence before me to suggest that the tree management operations could not be undertaken from a base elsewhere.”
He added: “Turning to the proposed new enterprise, no functional reason has been put to me as to why such residential requirements that may be associated with it, if any, cannot be met from the existing house.”