DOUGLAS CHAPMAN MP has secured a meeting with developers over fears their plan to build houses in Cairneyhill could increase the risk of flooding.

Avant Homes wants to construct 160 properties on land south of Pitdinnie Farm, which would form phase two of its residential development in the area.

However, the plans have caused concern in the community with many worried the development could heighten the risk of flooding.

More than a dozen objections and a detailed report from the community council have been lodged with Fife Council, and now the area’s MP has stepped in.

Mr Chapman said: “There is clearly concern in the Cairneyhill community that this development will increase the potential for flooding in the village.

“The community council asked to meet with me several weeks ago and made a strong case that far more needs to be done to address this risk.

“Cairneyhill itself is classed as being potentially vulnerable to flooding, and there have been two major floods there over the past nine years.

“It’s not unreasonable to ask that every effort is made to prevent this risk from increasing.

“In the circumstances, I’ve secured a meeting with developers to discuss this issue and hear what they propose to do to address the community’s concerns.”

Cairneyhill has a history of flooding and has been classed as a 'Potentially Vulnerable Area' by the National Flood Risk Assessment.

The community council fears that an already-pressured drainage system will not be able to cope with this development and others in the area feeding into Torry Burn and Rushy End Burn.

Christopher Smith, chair of the community council, told the Press: "We are not happy that this whole thing has happened at all because there are flood problems.

"We already have drainage from phase one and another development west of Crossford coming into the Torry Burn with the Rushy Burn used as an overflow system.

"This development would drain into Rushy stream and last August there was flooding in the village because the overflow system was overwhelmed.

"The flooding last summer was horrific and the fire service had to pump properties out.

"These things are happening more and more and yet more development will not help.

"We're not just going to get the same problems, it's going to get worse.

"We cannot cope with more water problems coming from hard surfaces without real change to the water management here at the moment.

"Someone has got to put their hand in their pocket and spend the money if these houses are going to go ahead."

A spokesperson for Avant Homes Scotland said: "As a responsible developer, Avant Homes Scotland is committed to maintaining the highest standards of housebuilding safety. Last month, we met with representatives from the Cairneyhill Community Council and ward councillor Mino Manekshaw to hear first-hand the concerns of local residents with regards to our new development.

“Engaging with local stakeholders is something we take very seriously and we look forward to meeting with Mr Chapman in due course to address any concerns he has and ensure that he is fully informed of our proposals.”