GLENROTHES based developers at Easy Living Development have asked Fife Council for planning permission to build 38 semi-detached bungalows for retirees in Balmullo.

If Fife Council approves the plans, the former Burnbrae Nursery and garden market site on Clay Road would be completely redeveloped into a retirement village.

Developers are planning to build 38 semi-detached bungalows on the site alongside one three bedroom house for the property owners, who still live on site.

The development would replace the two existing houses, vacant and derelict glasshouses, and other redundant buildings with an accessible private retirement community.

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“The 38 semi-detached bungalows will be for persons of retirement age with the intention that the development will be gated, for added safety and security,” developers said in a planning statement.

The 1.6 hectare site was formerly a commercial market garden operation growing and selling trees, plants and other gardening products to retailers and the general public. However, the former Burnbrae Nursery has lain vacant since 2010 when commercial activity shut down.

Although some of the stone and brick buildings have been repurposed for the owners private use, the glasshouses and other buildings have since become vacant and unused.

According to developers, Fife Council has recently shown a requirement for 2,689 accessible homes and 612 wheelchair homes in Fife across both private and social housing tenures.

“Delivery of older person housing has been prioritised and a target to deliver 294 homes suitable for older persons between 2022 and 2027 has been set,” developers added.

Easy Living Development’s believes that this retirement village would add to Fife’s housing stock, housing diversity, and would be accessible enough to meet the needs of an increasingly elderly population.

In response to a pre-application enquiry earlier this year, Fife Council lent support to the Balmullo retirement village in principle to boost the number of homes for the elderly to help meet Fife’s overall targets.

“As an allocated housing site, the principle of residential development is acceptable,” the council’s response said.

“Retirement lodges on one level may allow the occupants to stay longer in their own home without having to make a move out of necessity or enter the care system.”

Developers want to demolish and remove all of the existing buildings on site – including the two existing houses.

The plans include a single fully detached three-bedroom house to replace the existing private house for the property owners who wish to remain on the site.

If the plans are approved, the development will be served by a single point of access from a gravel track on the south side of Clay Road. Entrance gates are proposed over the access at a suitable location.

Fife Council will consider the application and make a decision in due course.