Plans for housing pods to accommodate Queensferry Crossing workers to be reviewed

Fife Council is to review rejected planning proposals for housing pods built for construction workers at Rosyth Dockyard.

The plans, set out in two  applications, were initially for 69 accommodation ‘pods’  at the former Forth Families’ Social Club site on Castle Road, Rosyth.

Designed by Capital and Provincial limited, they were originally to accommodate construction workers on the Queensferry Crossing, and Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier projects.

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However, only 62  pods have been installed since plans were lodged in 2014 and Fife Council refused  permission for all of the dwellings in February.

The application was turned down on design grounds as councillors noted that the proposal would not make a positive impact to the quality of the place.

A recent local review submitted by developers, RP Planning, said support the pods would offer local and national projects outweighed design concerns.

It also noted that they could be used for future construction projects such as Babcock International’s construction of five Royal Navy frigates at their Rosyth facility in 2021.

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Each of the pods consists of two-self contained accommodation units with each unit having its own sleeping area,  kitchen, breakfast bar and bathroom.

Capital and Provincial Ltd are willing to cap the number to 62 and limit  occupancy in each unit to one person to ensure planning permission is granted.

The company are not planning for the pods to be a permament fixture in the area – they are hoping to have them at the site until the end of December 2023.

The council will review the  plans on August 10.