Councillor Dave Dempsey upset about Dalgety Bay site plan

That's the view of local councillor Dave Dempsey who argued that a change of use proposal for 40 square metres of land at Fordell Bank in the town should be refused.

Clare Hickson had already bought it, put a fence round it and made it part of the back garden, which now includes an off-street parking space.

However she hadn't realised she needed planning permission and her retrospective application was met with 14 objections.

READ MORE: Electric plan to open former Baxters site at Kelty

At the west and central planning committee last week, Cllr Dempsey said: "While the area of grass was not big in itself it was part of a larger area that's now no longer larger.

"There's a general principle of eating into these areas which I'm uncomfortable about."

'Big lumps' concern from Cllr Dave Dempsey. (Image: Fife Council)

He added: "There are these green areas in Dalgety Bay that serve to give an openness to the environment and this is an opaque five feet high or thereabouts fence that's taking a big lump out of one of these and reduced the overall appearance and affect."

The objections raised concerns about the principle of development, visual impact, residential amenity and road safety.

The committee was told the area wasn't protected open space and "doesn't have any great amenity value", with officers recommending approval.

READ MORE: Calls for a little respect as councillors call each other 'stupid' and 'clowns'

However Cllr Dempsey said the proposals were "unacceptable" and continued: "I feel we need to make it clear that this sort of taking big lumps out, and hiding lumps of what was previously publicly visible and enjoyable open space, is not something that we wish to encourage and I don't think it's appropriate here."

The change of use from public open space to form vehicular access and extended garden ground, including the erection of a 1.8 metre high boundary fence and gate, went to the vote and was passed 5-4.