Cupar North: Persimmon on ‘difficult decision’ to scrap major housing project
The developer which walked away from a 1500-homes project in Cupar has spoken of its “difficult decision.”
Persimmon Homes has withdrawn its planning application for the proposed Cupar North expansion which has been on the cards since the mid 2000s, blaming rising costs and changes to land ownership.
It was the biggest planning application seen in north east Fife and had sparked a huge debate locally.
The development would have included the delivery of 1480 energy efficient homes to “help tackle Fife’s housing emergency” as well as a new primary school, hotel, leisure facilities, petrol station and a new bypass to reduce town centre traffic.
A spokesperson for Persimmon said: “We have taken the difficult decision to withdraw the current proposal for the Cupar North development.
“Over recent years, we have worked constructively with Fife Council, landowners, and other partners in a genuine effort to make the current application work and bring forward much-needed new homes for the area.
“However, despite our best efforts, the infrastructure requirements and associated costs linked to the current proposal present significant challenges that mean it is not viable in its present form. “ Persimmon said it would carry out local consultations on its next steps , and it “remained committed to working with the council and other partners to explore opportunities to deliver the homes that local people need."
The comment came after Fife Council confirmed that the developer had scrapped its planning application.for the site.
Pam Ewen, head of planning, climate and sustainability at the local authority, said: "The application has been with the council for a significant period and has undergone a number of revisions. I recognise this has created uncertainty for the local community, and we had hoped to complete our assessment and bring the application to the planning committee for a decision."
The council said Persimmon Homes had advised it that changes in land ownership across the wider Cupar North site, along with rising costs associated with delivering the masterplan, have led to the withdrawal. In particular, the cost of the proposed northern link road and the delivery of a new primary school have presented significant challenges.
Ms Ewen added: The land at Cupar North is still allocated for strategic development within the current Local Development Plan. As part of our ongoing review of the Plan, we will consider future development options for Cupar. We recognise there will be a period of uncertainty while this work is carried out. We intend to publish a proposed plan later this year, followed by a public consultation across Fife.”