New planning guidance in Fife will help regenerate the area and create jobs, according to the council.

The new guidance replaces three previous documents and aims to support growth in the region's housebuilding sector.

The Fife Local Development Plan states the requirement for developer-funded investment of over £69m in new roads and schools. The new guidance highlights how these planning obligations will be sought by the council.

Councillor Lesley Laird, Deputy Leader of Fife Council said: "This is an important document for promoting investment in Fife. It also demonstrates that Fife Council is listening and prepared to addresses a number of concerns that have been raised by communities and developers regarding the provision of improved roads and community facilities.

"Fife’s aim is to be the best place to do business and I am pleased that this simplified guidance recognises the focus that we have on helping town centres, encouraging investment in brownfield sites and promoting the provision of affordable homes by exempting these areas from Planning Obligations. In addition, despite the severe financial challenges, Fife Council is also continuing to fund infrastructure through the recently approved Capital Plan and will seek to target investment to support areas of new growth."

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The new document:

• provides a single reference point explaining the requirements for new schools, roads and community facilities, replacing three previous documents

• aims to assist the development industry to better understand costs and requirements for additional roads, schools and community facilities within Fife

• ensures new development accounts for any additional impacts on roads, schools and community facilities

• provides certainty to communities and clarity to developers or public bodies that new development has no negative impact for Fifers

• removes obligations on specific uses including town centre development, brown field redevelopment and the conversion of listed buildings.

Robin Presswood, Head of Economy, Planning and Employability Services added: "Planning obligations are increasingly used to pay for new or improved roads, schools and community facilities, and it is therefore important that officers provide clear guidance to help speed negotiations and support investment in Fife.

"The Planning Obligations Guidance implemented today will be regularly reviewed and upon adoption of the Local Development Plan, will be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval as statutory supplementary guidance."

(IT/CD)