No-one from Fife Council development services turned up at this week's meeting at which local people voiced concerns over the building which has been branded a 'monstrosity'.

The group from Bank Street and Back Lebanon had invited NHS Fife, and Fife Council development services and transportation services, in the hope that everyone could work together to take the project forward.

However, the failure of planners to show up — despite receiving confirmation that at least one representative would be there — has led residents to believe they, and the community of Cupar, have been snubbed.

Chairman Marshall Cooper said not only were the residents let down, but the meeting was almost a "waste of time" as many questions about the centre were about planning, which the NHS could not answer.

He said: "NHS Fife, its chief executive George Brechin, and other top officials gave us the courtesy of coming here tonight, so why can't planning officials do the same?

"We were given reassurances they would, so why aren't they here? What have they got to hide?"

Local councillor Bryan Poole, who invited all of the representatives to attend, said it was outrageous that no planners had turned up.

Councillor Poole said that as late as Tuesday afternoon he was under the impression there would be a representative there.

He claimed he then learned Councillor Andrew Arbuckle, chair of the committee which approved the application for the dental centre, had told senior planning officials it would be "inappropriate" for them to attend.

"At no stage during my numerous discussions with Keith Winter, the head of development services, over the last three weeks did anyone say it may be 'inappropriate'," he said.

"I can understand that the residents' group are angered if an elected member interfered in what must surely be an operational decision."

Councillor Arbuckle, who attended part of the meeting, told the Fife Herald the allegation was "inaccurate nonsense".

During the discussion, the group called on the NHS to reconsider building pedestrian access which it is claimed, was pushed for by the transportation department, into Back Lebanon amid safety fears.

However, Mr Brechin said the NHS had an obligation to meet the requirements of the planning application.

This comment was challenged by Mr Cooper who, having received expert advice, said he understood the NHS did not have to implement every detail applied for.

He added that had the planning department been in attendance, the issue may have been resolved.

A further meeting is to take place within a fortnight to discuss other items of contention including landscaping and lighting.

In a statement to the Fife Herald, Mr Winter said it has been the intention for a planning service representative to be present at the meeting and a last-minute decision not to send someone was a mistake.

He said: "Clearly, with hindsight, this would appear the wrong decision.
"Maintaining continued public faith and trust in the openness and integrity of the planning system and development services is of paramount importance to us and we will do everything in our power to ensure this remains the case."

Mr Winter said a review would now be carried out into the circumstances of the decision.