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Fife Affordable Housing Gets Boost
31 March 2009

The Reporter’s decision confirmed the opinion that the Council’s reasons for refusal were ‘unconvincing’ and that ‘the case should never have come to appeal’.

The Milton of Balgonie decision is the second recent successful appeal against refused planning applications for Kingdom Housing Association.

Earlier this year, Kingdom also won an appeal to allow the development of a site at Tayport which had been refused permission by the Council.

Bill Banks, Depute Chief Executive at Kingdom Housing Association, said: "Naturally, we are delighted at the result of our appeal.

“It has vindicated our decision to develop the site at Milton of Balgonie. But more importantly, this decision allows us to get on with providing badly need affordable housing in this part of Fife.

“It will also provide a much needed shot in the arm to the local construction industry.

“The completed development has been designed to a high standard and the quality houses will provide affordable homes to help address the growing needs in the area.

“The Scottish Government Reporter fully considered the local objections to the project when reaching a decision on the appeal. However, it was encouraging to read that the decision also recognised that the needs of the less outspoken persons who will occupy the development should not be lost sight of.”

The £1.6 million development will see the construction of 13 new affordable homes for rent. The homes have been designed to meet a range of housing needs and will include two houses designed to full wheelchair standard, five single-storey cottages, which are suitable for older people, and six semi-detached family houses.

It had been hoped to start on site during 2009. However, due to the delay with the planning consent, the project may now slip into 2010.

The project will be developed as a Fife Housing Association Alliance project. The Alliance is a partnership between the four Fife-based housing associations, where Kingdom develops the project and transfers some of the completed projects to either Glen, Fife or Ore Valley housing associations.

The project at Milton of Balgonie will transfer to Glen, which will own and manage the houses.

Anne Dickie, Director with Glen, said: “I was saddened by the objections raised to this small development in Milton, especially since it will bring a much needed mix of family houses, cottages for older people and bungalows designed for wheelchair users.

“However, following the success of the Appeal, I am now looking forward to liaising with the residents of the village in the lead up to the work starting on site to hopefully allay many of the concerns which had been raised.”