Premier Homes get go-ahead to change path in Pattiesmuir

The agent for Premier Homes (Scotland) Ltd previously claimed there had been "significant local resistance" to the addition of eight new houses in the tiny community, west of Rosyth.

The firm's latest move, to amend a planning condition relating to the footpath, came after locals "declined access" to the contractor while one angry objector told the council the development has "destroyed" Pattiesmuir.

There are only around 25 homes in the hamlet and the level of opposition to the application meant it had to go before the west and central planning committee for a decision.

Planning service manager Mary Stewart told councillors that plans for eight new homes had previously been approved and a new footpath was to be constructed to the north of two existing properties.

She said: "This has proved impossible to achieve because of land ownership restrictions and makes the construction of that footpath in that position impossible for the applicant to complete."

Her report said that neighbours "declined access to allow the developer into their property to undertake the formation of the roads and footpaths".

This photo from August shows that work on the footpath in Pattiesmuir has already started. The council said this was not a reason for refusal. (Image: Fife Council) READ MORE: Revised proposals for 191 new homes in West Fife village

Premier Homes sought permission to relocate the footpath to the opposite side of the road, along the southern boundaries of plots 1, 2 and 3, and the application was part-retrospective as the work started in the summer.

But locals weren't happy with that either, raising concerns about road safety and "increased danger" to children and pedestrians, congestion during deliveries, parking and a detrimental impact on the conservation area.

Residents against moving the footpath said house plots should not be pushed back as a result - the committee was told they wouldn't be - and it would clash with the "linear" development of Pattiesmuir.

Ms Stewart said: "This proposal simply relates to the relocation of the approved footpath from the south side of the road to the opposite northern side of the road which would have no significant visual impact when compared to the approved layout."

She said the proposed change was "acceptable" in terms of road and pedestrian safety and that while the relocated 1.5 metres wide footpath would "encroach" on the garden ground of plots 1, 2 and 3, each home would still have more than the minimum requirement of 100 square metres of private garden.

An image of what the new homes in Pattiesmuir should look like. (Image: Premier Homes) READ MORE: We can re-open ferry link from Rosyth to Europe for 'as little as £3m'

Permission for the eight houses was granted, despite 28 objections, to the Broomhall Home Farm Partnership in June 2017.

Premier Homes later took over the development and there have been a number of alterations, which have also been opposed, since then.

Work started in 2022 and two homes - at plots 7 and 8 - are complete.

Earlier this year the firm's agent, Neil Gray, of Gray Planning and Development, wrote: "With the significant personal and commercial challenges the developer has faced keeping residents from attempting to derail the marketing campaign, this prospective sale of the first and second plots at Pattiesmuir is clearly welcome relief for the developer."

He had added that Premier Homes "did not anticipate the significant local resistance and obstacles (both legal and financial) placed in their way which has caused severe constraints on cash flow and therefore unintended and unforeseen changes to work programmes and methods".

The committee agreed to the relocation of the footpath.