Proposals to build 140 homes on greenbelt land within Tower Farm near Torrance were rejected by the Planning Board in December last year.

The application by Hallam Land Management was rejected after it was decided the proposal was contrary to the local authorities Local Plan as well as the Scottish Planning Policy.

However, an appeal made by Hallam Land Management will now be heard by Scottish Ministers.

Planning Board Chair, Cllr Billy Hendry, said he was “extremely disappointed” to see the application has been appealed.

He said: “COSLA’s recently launched Manifesto for a Stronger Scottish Democracy makes clear that Planning is a local democratic process and the decision of the Planning Board should be respected.

“However, having called in the application, rather than this appeal being heard by Scottish Ministers in private I believe a planning inquiry should be held in Torrance so that local people have an opportunity to be involved.

“We had 178 objections from villagers and nearby residents, concerned at the impact that the housing development would have on the local area, I share their concerns and encourage those who made representations to take the opportunity to make their views known to Ministers.”