Stirling-based Avant Homes have applied for planning permission in principle to build 76 houses at Nydie Mains Road.

Members of Fife Council’s north east Fife planning committee, who were asked to give their recommendation to the local authority, recommended approval subject to a raft of conditions, one of which was that the number of houses should be reduced to 66.

It is anticipated that the housing scheme would push Strathkinness Primary School just beyond capacity for a year, before projected pupil numbers drop again.

Planning service manager Alastair Hamilton had told councillors that the development would be phased to ensure that the local school would not reach over-capacity.

But councillors weren’t convinced, and narrowly voted to recommend that the number of houses be reduced.

The application is ‘significantly contrary’ to the local development plan and will eventually be decided by the full council.

If consent is granted the developer will pay for a feasibility study to determine how education capacity could be increased and construction will be phased in an attempt to control the impact on the school.