The Alfred Stewart Property Foundation (ASPF), a charity named after the late West Fife businessman, wants to develop just over 25 hectares at Castlandhill. A quarter of the properties would be affordable homes for social rent.

ASPF has applied to Fife Council for planning permission in principle and said that, if they get the go-ahead, it could start work in 2027 and deliver all the new houses in 2032.

A statement on behalf of the applicant said: “Residential development at Castlandhill will deliver up to 360 high-quality new homes, which will build on the existing community hub of Rosyth and the burgeoning opportunities presented by the port redevelopments.”

Just over half of the site (12.6 hectares) would be the “developable area” of houses and roads with seven hectares for a landscape buffer and more than four hectares of “informal public open space”.

There would be a mix of property types with a new roundabout to be constructed on Castlandhill Road, which would form the primary access into the site, with a second access road via Grampian Road.

The plans include pedestrian and cycle routes, drainage ponds, landscaping and informal play areas, as well as wildflower meadows, marshland and retained hedgerows and trees to promote biodiversity.

The planning agent has admitted that housebuilding is likely to uncover “sub-surface artefacts and deposits, including human remains” of Scottish and English soldiers who fought and died there almost 400 years ago.

Bidwells said the land is west of Castlandhill Road and the M90 motorway and east of Grampian Road, but also within the site of the second Battle of Inverkeithing, from 1651.

A report said the site has “high archaeological potential” and went on: “In addition to the relatively high potential for encountering human remains associated with the battle, Historic Environment Scotland has indicated that the proposal should ensure that the actions on the battlefield can continue to be understood and appreciated.”

Bidwells’ report added: “The development would contribute towards meeting the housing needs for the local workforce employed within the Queensferry One development, Rosyth Dockyard and the expanding business areas on the southern edge of Dunfermline.”