A DECISION to take enforcement action against a couple running a sawmilling operation from their farm near Newburgh has prompted outrage.
Supporters of Ellie and Dennis Anderson say they are prepared to stage a sit-in protest at Denmylne Farm, Den of Lindores, if Fife Council goes ahead with plans to use legal powers to stop the business.
Members of north east Fife area committee ag
reed last month to take enforcement action against the Andersons after planning officials said that by failing to get planning permission they were setting a precedent for other 'inappropriate' development on agricultural land.
But the Andersons claim they've been "victimised" by the local authority when they're just trying to make an honest living and that they don't need planning permission because the sawmilling operation is mobile.
Mrs Anderson said: "The farm is only the size of a smallholding or croft and we are simply diversifying in order to help make ends meet, but instead of trying to encourage small enterprises like ours the council seem hell-bent on trying to destroy us."
James O'Connor, from Auchtermuchty, who uses the Andersons' sawmilling services, said that he and other customers — who include the Forestry Commission — were furious at the council's stance.
He said: "This is a fine example of a small, environmentally-sound enterprise that's flourishing despite the recession, and it should be encouraged.
"I and many others are prepared to occupy the land if the council pursue this enforcement action."
Chris Smith, lead officer with development services, defended the decision, saying: "The sawmilling business and associated equipment operating at Denmylne occupies land defined as agricultural in land use planning terms and as such a business is not considered as an agricultural related operation.
"A change of use planning application would be required to allow the operators to legitimise such a land use at this site.
"Although we are aware that the milling process involved in this instance includes equipment that can be transported to other sites, this does not mean in itself that the use of the site is excluded from requiring planning consent.
"The site in question has been used on a number of occasions for on-site operational work and also currently houses a portable cabin and static caravan (both partly used for administrative purposes related to the business) as well as other commercial storage containers etc.
"Officers have on more than one occasion, prior to the enforcement report being put to committee members, advised the applicants that in order to regularise the situation they should submit a planning application for a change of use.
"To date, no application has been forthcoming."
