A recent decision by a Scottish Government Reporter to allow 295 houses on a greenfield site in Inverkeithing has questioned the robustness of the current Scottish planning system, according to Cllr Lesley Laird, Fife Council’s depute leader and spokesperson for economy and planning.

The Reporter has granted an application for housing on the site at Spencerfield in Inverkeithing – which includes prime agricultural land - despite being resisted by both Fife Council and the local community.

Permission for the site was granted while the proposed local development plan is at examination stage and SESplan strategic development plan (SDP) is being updated.

Cllr Laird said: “We are disappointed that this development has been approved while the local development plan, FifePlan, is currently at examination stage, and does not recommend this area for development.

“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. This decision shows that community empowerment needs strengthened. To truly deliver what local people want, there’s a clear need to further devolve planning powers to local authorities.

“The Scottish Government argues that the planning system needs to be led by the Development Plan, but whilst one Scottish Government Reporter is considering whether this site should be included in the Development Plan, yet another Scottish Government Reporter has granted a planning application on appeal. No wonder communities have lost confidence in the system.

“The planning system must be transformed to increase transparency and build trust in decision making. The views of local communities and the need to conserve key landscape characteristics need to be more carefully considered.

“Place-making needs to be put at the centre of planning, with less emphasis on the delivery of unrealistic targets. An effective planning system must also better embrace economic development and regeneration, to ensure that Fife plays a key part in the Scottish economy.”

Cllr Lesley Laird added: “Of course house building does need to be boosted, but completions are down mainly because of a need for appropriate finance and skills development in the construction industry. Fewer homes than expected are being built as a result of the financial crisis, and delivering skills development is key to plugging the gap in Scotland’s housing shortage.”

@FifeCouncil