FIFE Council have put the brakes on proposals to run three vehicle repair workshops from an old poultry shed near Steelend.

Officers cried fowl when they discovered the premises at Lynn Farm have been used for this purpose, without the necessary consent, since March 2022.

A planning application was submitted but that's now been refused and enforcement action has been approved.

The proposals would allow the reuse of brownfield land and a redundant building but a council report added that it "would nonetheless constitute unjustified and inappropriate development within an unsustainable countryside location".

It was also refused on road safety and sustainability grounds.

The council issued an enforcement notice in July last year, highlighting the need for planning permission, and an application for a change of use was submitted in April.

There were three objections.

A statement on behalf of landowner James Cousar had explained that he was "unaware" that consent was required as the leases stated that "the tenants were responsible for this".

Just over two years ago the poultry shed was divided into three separate areas and let out to three separate tenants.

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One was buying vehicles from auction companies, restoring and repairing them and selling them on.

Another tenant was restoring and repairing cars as a "recreational hobby".

However the report said "an internet search shows a website and social media profiles for the unit in question and therefore whilst it may not be the full-time employment of the tenant, it would nonetheless be considered a commercial enterprise".

At the time of the report the third unit was vacant.

Mr Cousar had argued that the plans were justified on the basis it would diversify his agricultural business.

However, officers disagreed as the proposals would be categorised as general industrial use.