CARDENDEN Community Council is concerned about the condition of land near the village earmarked for 'affordable housing'.

A planning application has been lodged by Kingdom Housing with Fife Council for 48 affordable houses on a site north of Kinglassie Road, in the Woodend area of Cardenden. This site is not allocated for development in the Fife Plan for this area. It is also outwith the village boundary and would therefore be classed as development in the countryside, which is against planning policy.

The secretary of the community council David Taylor said: "This area is prone to extreme flooding and the photograph shows the site completely flooded after the recent snow.

"There are several sites within the village boundary, particularly the former Auchterderran Centre, which have been designated for housing development and these should be considered ahead of sites outwith the boundary".

Added Mr Taylor: "Further, there is concern that local services, particularly doctors, will be adversely impacted by the increased population and additional provision will need to be addressed before any development is considered.

"It is proposed to determine this application by delegated decision by a planning officer but, as it deviates from the local plan, it should be by a planning committee. Although new developments in the area are supported, there is no desire for developers imposing inappropriate developments on the community".

Mr Taylor concluded: "It is therefore requested that more time be given to enable the implications of this application to be fully considered and the Community Council registered as a statutory consultee".

There are concerns about the GP situation in Cardenden and around 50 new houses would bring more than 100 new people to the village.

The community council feel that this could put the struggling medical services under more pressure."