Council set to review parts of finalised Fife Structure Plan 2006-26

FIFE Councillors have today, Friday June 29, decided to review parts of the authority's structure plan, currently with the Scottish Executive.

The decision, taken by the Planning Committee is now subject to approval from the Scottish Executive.  If it agrees, the relevant sections which relate to the amount of housing and land required for housing in Fife will be reviewed.

A report will then be presented to Full Council on August 16 seeking approval for an eight week consultation period on the relevant parts of the Structure Plan, during which all seven local committees would be consulted. All comments would be considered before a final report is prepared for submission to Scottish Ministers in late 2007.

While the reappraisal and assessment is going on, the structure plan would remain with Scottish Ministers who will be responsible for contacting all those who responded to their consultation in June and July 2006 to let them know that specific parts of the plan were being reviewed.

Depute Leader of the Administration Elizabeth Riches said the decision agreed today had been a key commitment in the election manifestos of both coalition partners.

"I'm delighted we have, with the co-operation of fellow councillors, been able to make such an important decision so early in the new administration. 

"We hope the Executive will now approve our suggestions enabling us to move forward with a limited re-appraisal of the structure plan.  This document is crucial for the future of Fife.  This is our one and only chance in the near future to get it right - and we must take it seriously."

Explaining the background to the changes, Head of Development Services Keith Winter said when the structure plan was prepared, population projections and work conducted by the council suggested a 5% population increase was the most appropriate level of growth over the 20 year period of the plan, 2006 to 2026, even though it is less than the General Registrars Office for Scotland's 9% projected level.

It was also predicted, at the time, household sizes would get smaller meaning there would be greater need for more houses.  It is now forecast household size will decline more slowly in Fife than elsewhere in Scotland, meaning fewer houses will be needed.

Keith Winter said: "To take account of new GRO (S) Household Projections and other technical issues which have arisen since the Plan was approved by the previous Council a limited appraisal is appropriate.

"Household projections, the housing element of the settlement strategy and the housing land requirement are all inter-dependent and form an important part of the structure plan," he added.