IT'S fourth time lucky for Muir Homes who have finally been granted permission to develop a "derelict eyesore" site in Dalgety Bay.
Three previous attempts were refused and Fife Council also rejected the latest bid to build 35 houses at Fulmar Way but an appeal to the Scottish Government was successful.
The final decision was made last week after agreement was reached on issues relating to noise from nearby premises in Donibristle Industrial Estate, money for education and affordable housing.
The council refused permission in May last year, stating that a new vehicle access from Fulmar Way would create "conflicts" between residential and industrial traffic that would pose road safety risks.
They previously rejected an application that would have seen access taken via Otterston Grove.
Muir Homes, based in Inverkeithing, had accused the council of acting in a "contradictory" way by allocating the land for housing but then rejecting the only possible vehicle access routes into the site.
In his ruling Robert Seaton, a reporter appointed by the Scottish ministers, said he could find "no adverse transport effect that would arise as a consequence of access being taken from Fulmar Way" in the industrial estate.
He visited the site last August and said: "While the council’s transport planners state that 'there are very few examples of housing sites taking primary vehicular access from an industrial estate access road in Fife', there is an example at Central Way and West Way in the same industrial estate.
"Without an explanation from the council as to how it considers conflict might arise in Fulmar Way, in particular between traffic from the proposed development and traffic to the industrial and commercial premises of the estate, or what degree of risk would result, I can see no basis on which I can make a finding that there would be such conflict, at least to any unacceptable degree."
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At 1.6 hectares, the plot lies to the east of the Asda store and to the north of homes on Meadowfield and Otterston Grove.
Formerly in industrial use, the brownfield site has been vacant "for at least 20 years" and is zoned for residential use in the council's local development plan.
Previous applications from Muir Homes for 47, 51 and 44 properties were refused in March 2015, February 2017 and April 2018 respectively.
Now, permission has been granted by the Scottish Government for a mix of three- to five-bedroom houses, detached and semi-detached, as well as two-bed cottage flats and three-bed terraced homes.
The decision wasn't a surprise, Mr Seaton had issued two notices of intention, in October and November, stating he was minded to grant planning permission as long as some of the outstanding issues could be resolved.
To address concerns about noise from industrial premises, including Dyce Carriers and Asda, there will be a 10-metre wide landscaping belt, a noise barrier and "acoustic fence".
Muir Homes will pay £35,410 as an education contribution towards a capacity risk at lnverkeithing High School and agreed that nine of the units will be affordable homes.
Included in the 16 conditions are a new two-metre wide pavement along the south side of Fulmar Way and paths connecting the development to Meadowfield and Moray Way North.
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