PLANS to build 70 homes at the western edge of Cairneyhill have been approved by Fife Council.

Ogilvie Homes got the go-ahead to develop 4.9 hectares of former farmland to the north of the Conscience Bridge on the A994 and west of Glen Moriston Drive, extending the village's boundary.

The west and central planning committee was told there were 16 objections, including one from Cairneyhill Community Council, with flooding one of the main concerns.

Dunfermline Press: The site, in the foreground, where 70 homes will be built in Cairneyhill. The site, in the foreground, where 70 homes will be built in Cairneyhill. (Image: Fife Council)

Locals were also worried about the impact on the village primary school and health services, air pollution, noise, an increase in traffic and on-street parking, loss of green space and agricultural land, and the impact on wildlife.

However, a report said the proposals "fully accord" with the development plan and councillors approved the application. The western extension of Cairneyhill can now proceed while a decision on housing expansion to the north of the village is still awaited.

Avant Homes and Robert Forrester, of Forrester Park Golf Resort, have already built 100 houses off Pitdinnie Road and have submitted plans for a second phase of 156 units.

Ogilvie, based in Stirling, will build a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, including 18 affordable homes and 52 for private sale.

The committee was told that Cairneyhill Primary "has sufficient capacity" to accommodate the development and, as a result, developer contributions were not required for the school, or St Columba's High.

However Ogilvie will be asked to pay £364,052 to help address "a shortfall in secondary capacity" in Dunfermline as well as £13,590 towards an extension at St Margaret's PS.

They'll also have to pay £126,265 to help fund transport improvements in the area.

The site is in FIFEplan, the council's local development plan that maps out what can be built and where, with an estimated capacity of 100 homes.

READ MORE: Western extension proposed with 70 new homes

However the committee was told there are a number of "constraints" on the land, including the Rushy End burn, a high pressure water main and a "high risk" flood risk area.

That reduced the amount of houses and open space in the plans but the developer will provide a play park – planning officer Natasha Cockburn said Ogilvie were not required to do so – as well as a financial contribution of just over £20,000 for the multi-use games area.

Cllr John Beare questioned why there was only one vehicle access road, from the A994, for a development of 70 houses.

He was told that the developer had wanted another access road but the council's transportation team ruled out any link to Sunnyside Road and that the A994 was the only "safe" access. Committee convener, Cllr David Barratt. sought clarification that the council cannot include a condition asking a developer to contribute towards new healthcare facilities in the area.

He was told that was correct and it was "extremely unlikely" that situation would change in Fife any time soon.