PLANS to build 134 homes at Hill of Beath have been approved by Fife Council.

Keep Moat Homes, based in Cambuslang, were given the green light by councillors at last week's West Planning Committee.

They'll build the new homes on 5.26 hectares of farmland north of Dalbeath Gardens.

The application attracted just two letters of objection and a council report said: "The development would not have any significant impact in terms of amenity and natural heritage and would not cause any significant flood risk.

"Suitable mitigation can be provided along the southern boundary to avoid any significant detrimental impact on residential amenity from the need for a retaining wall in this location.

"Sufficient contributions are being provided in terms of strategic transport interventions and education."

The plans include a sustainable urban drainage system, an area of open space with a play area and an access road from Torbeith Gardens.

A secondary access from Torbeith Road would be for emergency purposes only.

The development will create a capacity risk at Hill of Beath Primary School and the council said the solution is an extra classroom at a cost of £435,045.

Keepmoat have agreed to meet the cost, which will provide additional nursery capacity, and they'll also pay £241,200 as a contribution for transport improvements.

The firm has proposed seven affordable homes on the site.

The council report said the land was allocated for 115 units in the local development plan but argued that the uplift "would not be greater than 20 per cent" and was therefore not considered to be contrary to the plan.

It also said that, in the late 1800s, the site was used as the Hill of Beath Colliery which included an engine pit and mineral railway.

It operated until the 1920’s and the site was remediated in the 1960’s with all remnants removed by the 1970’s.