WORK has started on site in Cairneyhill with 70 new homes on the way.

The western expansion of the village will see housing built on former agricultural land to the north of the A994 at Conscience Bridge and west of Glen Moriston Drive.

Ogilvie Homes was given the green light by Fife Council last year and the firm submitted a commence of development notice stating that work would get underway today (Tuesday).

Fences have been put up around the perimeter of the site, just under five hectares in size, and villagers have been told to expect an increase in construction traffic on surrounding roads.

Advance Construction Scotland are preparing the ground on Ogilvie's behalf and their letter to local residents said: "We will be operating a one-way system to minimise disruption with the site entry coming off the existing vehicle access on Glen Moriston Drive and exiting the development from the existing vehicle access onto Sunnyside Road.

Dunfermline Press: This is the site where 70 new homes are to be built on the western edge of Cairneyhill. This is the site where 70 new homes are to be built on the western edge of Cairneyhill. (Image: Fife Council)

"Our priority is the safety of pedestrians and road users in and around the works area and we respectfully request your patience and co-operation with our manoeuvres until the formal site access can be formed off the A994."

There will be 18 affordable homes and 52 properties for private sale while land to the south of the site is allocated for employment land.

A mini-roundabout from the A994 will provide access into the new estate and the plans - submitted in June 2022 - include open space, a play area, footpath links and Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDs) basins.

Part of the site, next to the Torry Burn, is in a flood zone but council officers said community concerns about the risk had been addressed and recommended approval.

Under the terms of a legal agreement, Ogilvie's will pay £364,052 to help address "a shortfall in secondary capacity" in Dunfermline's high schools as well as £13,590 towards an extension at St Margaret's PS.

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

Ogilvie's have also applied for planning permission for a soil storage bund, which would be up to four metres high, and an area of hardstanding for a car park with nine spaces off Station Road.

Both would be for a temporary period of up to five years. 

Documents said that dust will be "dealt with appropriately by damping down the workplace" and there will also be dust monitoring.