Quarry redevelopment to go ahead despite Fife councillors knocking back plans

A decision to refuse permission for a multi-million-pound redevelopment plan for Prestonhill Quarry looks set to be overturned.

A Scottish Government reporter has issued a notice of intention to approve the planning application which was knocked back by Fife councillors last year.

DDR (UK) Ltd lodged an appeal against the decision to refuse permission for their plans to develop the Inverkeithing site which include the provision of 180 new homes as well as holiday lodges and a café/bistro.

A statement on behalf of DDR had said their proposals represented “a significant opportunity to address long-standing public safety concerns while delivering meaningful regeneration of a prominent derelict site”.

In an update on the government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division website, reporter Sinead Lynch said she was “minded to allow the appeal” and grant planning permission in principle.

She concluded: “The proposed development accords overall with the relevant provisions of the development plan and that there are no material considerations which would justify refusing to grant planning permission.

“I am therefore minded to grant the appeal subject to the completion of a planning obligation to secure obligations towards affordable housing, public art and transport.

“I have considered all the other matters raised, but there are none which would lead me to alter my conclusions.”

The 44 -acre quarry includes a deep pond of water where four fatal accidents have taken place between 1973 and 2017 and concerns have been raised about security at the site.

DDR said their mixed-use development proposals would make the area safe by draining the pond, filling it in and re-grading the cliff faces.

A total of 113 objections and five letters of support had been received in relation to the application.

Objections to the plans included there being no change to the previously refused plans, the loss of open space, road safety concerns, visual impact and the loss of sports facilities and diver training facilities

Members of Fife Council’s Central and West Planning committee had voted 6-5 to refuse the plans.

They deemed that the adverse impact of the proposals on Inverkeithing and its surrounding natural heritage would not be outweighed by the safety advantages.

The Reporter said conditions of planning approval would include that 25 per cent of the homes should be affordable housing while a contribution to the Dunfermline Strategic Transport Infrastructure Measures would also be necessary.

Cowdenbeath MSP and Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay councillor David Barratt was disappointed – but unsurprised – by the decision.

“We saw it coming,” he said. “It is obviously just very disappointing after years of campaigning to try and stop it.

“It is going to have a big impact and completely change the landscape and the coast of Inverkeithing.

“It will completely remove the important asset for the divers.

“All we can really do now is try and get the best out of it. The next stage is the detailed planning application with the principle already having been established.

“The council has limited scope to refuse so it is a case of making the best of it.”