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Fife's 'vision' delayed by Scottish government Fife Council's '20-year vision' delayed
(35 minutes later)
A plan for Fife's vision for the next 20 years has been delayed following "unforeseen circumstances". A plan for Fife's vision for the next 20 years has been delayed because the council submitted insufficient information, government officials said.
Lesley Laird, Fife Council's depute leader, has written to the Scottish government to ask what is causing the delay. The Scottish government said it had to issue more than 100 requests for more information to the local authority.
Fife Council earlier said it had asked what was causing the delay.
The Fife local development plan sets out land use planning policies to guide where development should and should not go over the next 20 years.The Fife local development plan sets out land use planning policies to guide where development should and should not go over the next 20 years.
It considers the big, long-term issues which affect the whole Fife area.It considers the big, long-term issues which affect the whole Fife area.
These include climate change, the scale of housing and population change, infrastructure planning and sustainable economic growth.These include climate change, the scale of housing and population change, infrastructure planning and sustainable economic growth.
Lesley Laird, Fife Council's depute leader, said she was "deeply concerned" by the "further postponement" and had written to the minister for local government and housing, Kevin Stewart.
'Causing uncertainty''Causing uncertainty'
Ms Laird said: "I'm deeply concerned at this further postponement to the Fife local development plan. I have once again written to the minister for local government and housing, Kevin Stewart MSP. "I've asked the minister to clarify what the "unforeseen circumstances" are so that we can work together with DPEA (Planning and Environmental Appeals Division) colleagues to do all we can to make sure the report is published week beginning 14 November, the latest date we've been given," she said.
"I've asked the minister to clarify what the "unforeseen circumstances" are so that we can work together with DPEA (Planning and Environmental Appeals Division) colleagues to do all we can to make sure the report is published week beginning 14 November, the latest date we've been given.
"These delays are causing uncertainly in the Fife economy and anxiety for communities and developers. There are a number of major planning applications where the applicants are awaiting the outcomes of the examination before progressing with their applications."These delays are causing uncertainly in the Fife economy and anxiety for communities and developers. There are a number of major planning applications where the applicants are awaiting the outcomes of the examination before progressing with their applications.
"As well as the significant overrun of timescales, the cost to the council is considerable and continues to escalate. I have again asked the Scottish government the extent to which DPEA should cover the costs arising from the ongoing delay.""As well as the significant overrun of timescales, the cost to the council is considerable and continues to escalate. I have again asked the Scottish government the extent to which DPEA should cover the costs arising from the ongoing delay."
A Scottish government spokesman said: "Reporters considering the Fife local development plan have had to issue over 100 requests for more information because of insufficient information submitted by the council.
"This is an unprecedented number and has inevitably had an impact on the length of time being taken to conduct the examination.
"DPEA has already responded to Councillor Laird's concerns and will consider any further issues brought to our attention."