PLANNING approval has been given to turn vacant land south of Crossgates into a permanent traveller pitch.

Applicant Thomas McPhee sought retrospective permission from Fife Council as development has already taken place.

It was granted on the condition it's only used by him and his immediate family, that the number of caravans do not exceed two and a legal agreement that road improvements, specifically the junction with Mill Farm Road, are carried out.

A council report said: "The pitch includes one principal caravan – a chalet – two touring caravans for travelling and accommodating older children and two containers, one of which would be used as a kitchen, toilet, laundry and washroom, and includes provision of bin stores, a septic tank and soakaway, access improvements, kennels, a shed and the formation of a turning circle and four parking spaces."

The site, formerly a quarry, is a mile south of Crossgates and around 1,750 square metres in size.

The council have provided permanent sites for travellers at Tarvit Mill in Cupar; Heathery Wood in Kirkcaldy and Thornton Wood, Kelty, and said there was also an opportunity for privately-run sites to be established.

The report added: "A supporting statement submitted with the application states that this site would enable the applicant family to establish a living environment for themselves independent of the three publicly provided sites available in Fife.

"It stated that these sites were not ideal in meeting the needs of the family for the following reasons: a lack of space; lack of parking; lack of recreational space; and a lower quality of amenity provision than they aspired to.

"It is acknowledged that the application site would provide a suitable alternative, being a safe and

secure environment for their four children to live, play and be schooled nearby."