PLANS to build four houses in Hill of Beath have been given the go ahead, despite several objections to the project being lodged.

Permission had been sought to erect the homes with associated access and parking on land to the south of Church House in Main Street.

A report to members of Fife Council's Central and West area planning committee said that an examination of historic maps indicated that residential units had occupied the site from around 1860 until 1960. Since that time it had either been vacant or in agricultural use.

Under the proposals, a single access is set to be taken from Main Street, leading to a communal driveway area serving all four plots.

A total of seven objections were received against the application and concerns included potential land contamination, the proposed access road, parking provision and fears over potential flooding.

However, Fife Council planners said the recommended the application be approved.

Their report added: "This proposal for the development of four dwelling houses has been assessed against policies of the development plan, national policy and other relevant planning guidance.

"The development is acceptable and complies with the development plan and associated guidance regarding design, residential amenity, road safety, flood risk, land contamination and all other relevant planning issues."