Community concerns over housing plans for Fife town

Fife Council will soon be asked to consider a planning application from Campion Homes on behalf of Kingdom Housing to build 45 affordable homes at Woodend in the town.

The application includes 12 flats and 33 houses.

The developer said all checks had been carried out to the local authority’s saisfaction – but the local community group claims the  site is unfit for development and is urging the local authority to refuse it.

A statement from Cardenden Community Council said: “”It is totally unsuitable for housing due to the flood risk to both existing and proposed houses.

“As this site is not allocated for development it could set a precedent for other unplanned development in this area.

“The agreed local plan should be complied with and this application should therefore be refused.”

The community council has also challenged the applicant’s statement on flood concerns: “The Flood Risk Assessment implies it is only likely to flood once in 200 years, but in reality it happens every time there is heavy or prolonged rain from surface water running off  surrounding fields and the adjoining Kinglassie Road.”

It expressed concerns that a flood storage area would not be sufficient, adding: “This is a high flood risk area and existing properties have already been damaged by flooding caused by a blockage in the ditch, which Fife Council was held liable.

“As this ditch acts as a field drain, no one will be held responsible for its maintenance or be liable for any flood damage caused by the additional water discharged from the proposed housing development.

“This water will then flow into Jamphlars Pond, which has overflowed in the past causing damage to houses in that area.

“Both the field and Kinglassie Road were completely flooded last August. The field then remained flooded until February.”

The developer said all checks had been carried out to the local authority’s saisfaction, and the homes would make a positive contribution to the town.

They said: “The assessments undertaken have demonstrated, to the satisfaction of Fife Council, that there will be no increase in flood risk in and around the site.

“The ducation services is also content that there will be no impact on school capacities.

“The housing team supports the proposals in addition to other sites that may come forward for development within Cardenden / Auchterderran.

“In addition, Fife Council’s roads and planning policy teams have not raised any concerns over the proposals, and environmental health is similarly content with what is proposed.”
It added: “The proposals are fully in line with the land use planning policies of Fife Council.”

Campion Homes said the 45 homes would be highly energy efficient, and well designed and “and will make a positive contribution to the local community.”

The new housing plans come as Cardenden faces a demand for social housing

Two other housing developments are currently underway in the area with another planned for this year.