Second bid rejected for holiday home at former quarry

Local resident Kenny McCallum has twice applied to Fife Council for permission to build a holiday let at the site off Carnock Road, and twice it has been rejected.

The West and Central planning committee voted 10-3 to reject the plans in an effort to protect the countryside from “sporadic and unjustified” development.

After his first application was rejected in December, the proposal was re-worked in May and consent sought for a self-catering holiday chalet on the disused quarry, which is to the north of the A907 and east of Sir George Bruce Road.

A supporting statement from his planning agent, Stuart Hannah, had said: "The proposed holiday accommodation will be used as an Airbnb as a small business opportunity.

"The applicant has confirmed that the building will only be in use for 10 months of the year and will only be used as holiday accommodation and not a permanent residence."

The view from the top of Sir George Bruce Road in Oakley. The proposed Airbnb was to the east, towards Carnock. (Image: Google Maps)

Mr McCallum said the development would provide a boost for Oakley and Carnock, stating that the single tourism unit could generate around £52,000 per year for the local economy.

Planners were less convinced and told the committee it was “unlikely that a single accommodation unit would generate a significant enough level of economic activity”.

“Consequently, the social and economic benefits don’t provide adequate justification for the proposal,” their report added.

However, ward councillor Sam Steele argued that the holiday unit would bring more economic benefit than the current “pile of rubble”.

She said: “Given that ward one and the villages - particularly Oakley - have been hit by closure of all the pits, in particular Longannet, I think any economic benefit would be more beneficial than none at all."

Cllr Steele rallied some support for the proposals, but the holiday unit was rejected in a vote.