DUNFERMLINE: Completion of the Duloch Park development in Dunfermline East has moved a step closer with plans lodged by Taylor Wimpey for around 500 new homes on three currently undeveloped parcels of land in the Dunfermline East area.

At the same time, Taylor Wimpey has lodged an application under Section 42 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, with the purpose of extending the time limit for the submission of so-called 'reserved matters' applications (i.e. the details of development on the site) for a further three year period.

With the current deadline for submission of reserved matters applications due to expire in March 2011, the new Section 42 application seeks to ensure that, if the current detailed applications are subject to delay, there will be sufficient time to secure detailed permission in order to complete development of the site in accordance with the existing planning permission.

Lodging of the Section 42 application was preceded by extensive consultation with the local community. This included a three-day public exhibition hosted at Duloch Library between Wednesday the 13th and Friday the 15th October (see attached picture), attended by around 60 members of the public.

The Dunfermline East expansion, which includes Duloch Park, has been ongoing since outline planning permission was originally granted in February 1997. Over that period, Taylor Wimpey has contributed significantly to the provision of associated local community benefits, including a £4 million contribution towards construction of the Duloch Schools & Community Campus and funding and constructing the paths, play areas and sports pitches at the new Duloch Park.