Plans for Fife eco-wellness park with spa, lodges treehouses take step forward

Ambitious plans for an eco-wellness and leisure park in Fife have taken a step forward.

Planning permission in principle has been granted for National Pride’s proposals to develop the former St Ninians Opencast site near Kelty.

The mixed-use development would include short-term accommodation, spa facilities, art/museum/education facilities, heritage memorials, and associated infrastructure.

Members of Fife Council’s West and Central Planning Committee heard that the proposals would see around 321 short-term let units – including lodges and treehouses – created along with a hotel over four phases.

Once completed, facilities would also include a farm shop and café, sports centre, yoga studio, prayer space and a cultural heritage centre.

Councillor Ian Cameron said it was a “very exciting” proposal for the area.

“They have looked at the site with sympathy and see the significant elements of it,” he said. “My concern I suppose is the scale and ambition of it and how that progresses.”

Alastair Hamilton, Fife Council Committee Lead Service Manager, stressed that the application was just for planning permission in principle (PPP).

“The reality of the detail will be delivered incrementally through the stages,” he told councillors. “At this stage, it is outwith the scope to look at the viability. I can totally understand members’ concerns to secure this.

“It is a bit of a chicken and egg thing. The developer needs to secure the vision through PPP to take it to the next stage.

“This is the foundation of taking it forward through to getting the investment to deliver the overall concept.”

Committee convener, Councillor David Barratt, was looking forward to seeing the plans progress.

“From my perspective, the proposals are extremely ambitious, very exciting and I think overwhelmingly positive for Fife and indeed Scotland,” he said.

“The scope of the proposals, some of them are conceptional drawings in particular, appear too good to be true but we will wait and see.

“The deliverability is outwith the scope of this committee so we will just have to wait and see. We will have everything crossed that what they are setting out and particularly the concept drawings can actually be delivered because they do look extremely exciting.”

National Pride say the regeneration of St Ninians will deliver “tangible benefit” for local people and the wider Fife economy.

Commenting on the decision, its chairperson, Irene Bisset, said: “We are delighted with the decision today to consent Planning Permission in Principle for St Ninians.

“This decision supports the careful regeneration of a former mining site that has stood unused for many years.

“The focus now is on delivering the creation of jobs, learning opportunities and long‑term sustainable uses while restoring ecological attributes and environmental value to a former industrial site.

“This approval provides certainty on direction. Delivery will take place in phases over time as detailed designs, operators and investment are brought forward.”