Popular Fife holiday park set to expand

At the north east planning committee on Wednesday, councillors approved the development of Craigtoun Meadows Holiday Park near St Andrews.

The expansion will see an additional 42 static caravans built on ground classed as ancient woodland.

There are 400 trees on the site, a number of which will need to be felled, although Fife Council planners couldn’t provide an exact number.

However, the Forestry Commission did not raise an objection as the park owners agreed to a compensatory planting scheme at another site to replace them.

However, Councillor Jane Ann Liston raised concerns, stating: “If the developers take away 95 per cent mature Scots Pine, then red squirrels may suffer, so tree loss has to be considered.

“In the so called green belt I’m surprised it’s okay to take away a huge chunk just because you say you’re going to plant it elsewhere.

“Do you know what kind of trees and what size will be planted? We’re talking about mature trees – wee whisps of trees are not a suitable replacement.”

However, planning officer Martin Patrick said he wasn’t sure at this stage as that would be part of a future agreement with the developer.

It was also noted that the environmental protection agency hadn’t raised any concerns of protected species in the woodland.

Councillor David MacDairmid agreed, and moved refusal on the proposal, saying: “I’m very uncomfortable that we are coming here to approve the removal of woodland for tourism purposes effectively.”

Councillors agreed to approve the plans in a vote of four to three.