PLANS for two new homes next to the Fife Cycle Park next to Glencraig have been rejected by Fife Council.

An application for planning permission in principle had been lodged asking for permission to build the three-bedroom properties on land south of the B920 between Glencraig and Lochgelly.

However, planners deemed the development to go against planning policy and have refused permission.

It said the need in principle for a residential development in the location was not considered fully justified.

Further grounds for refusal were cited as it not being considered to be of a scale, design and nature compatible with its surrounding or be located and designed to protect the overall landscape and environmental quality of the surrounding rural area.

Planners also said the developers had failed to demonstrate that it would conserve, restore and enhance the biodiversity of the site while the proposal had also failed to demonstrate that it would achieve significant environmental benefits or be located and designed to protect the overall landscape and environmental quality of the area.

Concluding, a planning report stated: "Overall, it is considered that the proposed development is contrary to the development plan, as it would result in unjustified development within the countryside as well as a significant detrimental impact on the residential amenity of future occupiers and failing to conserve, restore and enhance the biodiversity of the site, with no relevant material considerations of sufficient weight to justify departing there from.

"The application is therefore recommended for refusal."