THERE are plans to build nine family homes at an old sawmill near Crossgates that contains "unidentified" chemicals, electrical cables and building debris.

Mr and Mrs Jimmy Thomson, who stay next to Whitehill Sawmill, have applied to Fife Council for planning permission.

The derelict site is to the north of Mill Farm Road and comprises a dilapidated work cabin and shed, shipping containers, storage crates and assorted building rubble.

A report by the agents said there are also "overhanging electrical cables", cutting machines, disused gas bottles and oil drums.

It added: "The area surrounding the cabin and shipping crate is occupied by stockpiled building materials including bricks, timber and large bottles of unidentified chemicals.

"Debris piles of timber and masonry are also located on the south eastern corner of the site."

The site is more than 7,000 square metres in size and close to Whitehill Kennels and Elmbank Poultry Farm, on the road between Crossgates and Aberdour.

The Thomsons' development proposals were refused initially by a council officer but planning permission in principle was granted by councillors in December 2014 after a review.

They received a renewal in January and have tabled more detailed plans, which include nine four-bedroom homes with detached garages and 27 parking spaces.

The former sawmill was cleared and in 2011, permission was given for a workshop.

However, it was not completed and left an "unsightly" and unfinished concrete block of three walls.

The workshop has since been demolished.