Annex 1: The Plan context – the Fife Structure Plan 2006 - 2026
The Dunfermline and West Fife Local Plan will detail the application of the policies and proposals
contained within the Fife Structure Plan (2006-26) to part of the Dunfermline and West Fife Housing
Market Area. Once adopted, the Plan will form the primary reference point for determination of
applications for planning permission within the area. It will also form a consideration in the
preparation of public infrastructure investment programmes.
The policies and proposals in the Structure Plan form the primary context for the Local Plan,
constraining the scope for consideration of strategic options for development at the level of the
Local Plan.
The Structure Plan is in turn set in the context of the National Planning Framework for Scotland, and
the emerging strategy for developing the city-regions of Edinburgh and Dundee. The Fife Structure
Plan strategy positions Fife as a link corridor between the major centres of the Central Belt and the
cities of the north east – Dundee and Aberdeen. The focal points of this link include the Forth rail
and road crossings.
The Structure Plan process began in 2003, with the consultation draft of the Plan being published in
2005 and the Finalised Structure Plan published in 2006. In 2007, a re-appraisal of the housing
element of the Plan resulted in amended housing numbers being proposed across Fife housing
market areas. These proposals were made available for public comment and submitted to Scottish
Government for formal consultation.
The Fife Structure Plan 2006 – 2026 was approved by the Scottish Government on 24th May 2009.
The approved Plan has made modifications to the draft Plan in respect of the housing land supply
requirement and policies in relation to the built environment and wind energy. The majority of new
house building will be focused in mid Fife and west Fife to support regeneration, The approved Plan
requires provision be made for a 4,700 houses strategic allocation to three Strategic Land Areas
(SLA) (Dunfermline 3,800; Inverkeithing 400 and 500 West Villages) plus a share of a further
allocation of 855 which can be shared between the three SLAs. This has been split 400 to
Dunfermline 200 to Inverkeithing and 255 to West Villages The Plan requires a phased release of
housing across the 20-year period of the Structure Plan. The justification behind the increased
housing numbers is based on revised population estimates which increase the overall projected
population increase between 2006 and 2026 to some 8% as opposed to the 5% originally promoted
through the Finalised Fife Structure Plan.
The other policies in the Structure Plan as approved by the Scottish Government will also have to
be incorporated into the Local Plans. This is an important point to note in terms of its implications for
this Environmental Report.
The policies and proposals of most relevance to the SEA for the Dunfermline and West Fife Local
Plan are summarised in the table below.
Page 1 of 6
Annex 1: The Plan context – the Structure Plan
The framework for the Local Plan formed by the Structure Plan 2006 -2026
Summary of key features of the strategy and policies relevant to the SEA
Context set for the Local Plan
Vision: ‘A location of first choice in east central Scotland to live, work, play, learn and
invest. An attractive place, with thriving and sustainable communities and a diverse
environment. An area with a growing population which has reached at least 375,000 (in
Fife) and is still expanding. A place where people can achieve their full potential
through education, skills and career development.’
Requirement to accommodate growth without adversely affecting the long term
state of the environment
Relevant features of the Development strategy:
 assist the transition to a more broadly based economy with significant growth in
service sector employment.
 support and strengthen the rural economy by encouraging diversification of the
economy.
 support commercialisation of the higher education sector, in particular to capitalise
on the knowledge economy and promote opportunities.
 attract a new higher education campus to substantially enhance the number of
residents holding a degree.
 focus major developments on public transport interchanges and town centres well
served by public transport, and to increase development densities in these areas.
 focus retail growth in (amongst others) Dunfermline town centre as one of three
key centres and developing the civic, commercial and cultural hub of the as a subregional centre with an emphasis on sustaining and broadening its economic
growth.
 support the National Planning Framework identified role for Rosyth as a European
gateway.
 develop a coastal development zone along the North Forth coastline from Rosyth
eastwards.
 provide a choice of quality housing as well as providing for a choice of different
locations, prices and tenures, from affordable housing to the high end of the
market.
Dunfermline, Inverkeithing and West Villages will have a key role in delivering
the housing land strategy while Rosyth, Dalgety , and the Forth Bridgehead and
have a key role in delivering the development strategy. Other locations in West
Fife will also be required to expand their populations. But this will be focused on
areas with good accessibility by public transport in order to at least slow the
increase in demand for private transport. The area has a large rural hinterland
and will be affected by rural diversification.
Strategic proposals to improve accessibility:
 support the development of the new Forth Road crossing.
Substantial road improvements are proposed, balanced by improvements in
public transport accessibility.
Relevant to all SEA themes
Relevant to all SEA themes
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Annex 1: The Plan context – the Structure Plan
Summary of key features of the strategy and policies relevant to the SEA
 promote mixed use developments to achieve improved accessibility.
 promote routes for public transport rapid transit corridors and interchange with
other networks.
 support the provision of strategic transport improvements within Fife.
 develop Rosyth Waterfront as an international port, transport hub and economic
growth area.

Context set for the Local Plan
Relevant SEA themes: energy usage, pollution resulting from transport and
settlement character
Further consideration of transport link options for developing an LRT/BRT system
in the Dunfermline / Rosyth / Inverkeithing area will be developed in the
masterplanniing of the area. The scope to secure passenger services on the
Kincardine to Dunfermline rail network will be addressed through the review of the
Local Transport Strategy.
Strategic proposals for sustainable communities:
 deliver affordable housing as part of new development and to raise the overall
quality of the housing stock
 prioritise the development of brownfield sites wherever possible.
 focus strategic land allocations within Dunfermline, Inverleithing and West Villages
which will provide community facilities, employment land and a choice of different
house types and tenure.
 sustain jobs and improve accessibility in the rural areas and small communities.
 implement the development of the Strategic Development Areas to deliver
regeneration priorities in partnership with other public service providers and the
private sector.
Growth is proposed for a number of communities including Dunfermline,
Inverkeithing, Kincardine and settlements in West Fife and will reflect the
Structure Plan as approved by Scottish Ministers.
Strategic proposals for safeguarding Fife’s environment
 accelerate the use of appropriate brownfield, vacant and derelict land within
settlements and encourage the re-use of buildings.
 protect the landscape setting of the historic cores of Dunfermline and St Andrews
through the introduction of a Green Belt as part of a long-term land use planning
strategy to direct planned growth to the most appropriate locations.
 protect and enhance the character and distinctiveness of Fife’s towns and villages.
 maintain, protect and enhance, where possible, Fife’s natural heritage, built and
There are opportunities for brownfield development in West Fife. The landscape
and historic towns are notable features. The countryside south west and west of
Dunfermline will be managed by a greenbelt. The area contains a wide range of
sites of ecological interest.
The approved Structure Plan 2006 – 2026 has specific strategic allocations for
Dunfermline, Inverkeithing and West Villages and also allows for an additional
allocation which increases in numbers at each of the three SLAs to be allocated
by Fife Council.
Relevant to all SEA themes
Relevant themes: energy, biodiversity, water, landscape, settlements, historic
environment
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Annex 1: The Plan context – the Structure Plan
Summary of key features of the strategy and policies relevant to the SEA
historic environment, water resources and air quality;
 meet global challenges and opportunities, such as climate change by encouraging
the development and use of renewable energy technologies in both commercial
and residential settings.
Context set for the Local Plan
Structure Plan Policy SS1: Settlement Development Strategy
The local Plan contains more detailed policies determining the selection of sites
for development and the determination of settlement boundaries.
Development should take place within defined community boundaries wherever
possible, and sites outside communities should take account of landscape, design,
built heritage and historic environment, the natural environment, transport and other
environmental factors
The proposed Structure Plan modifications require equal weight to be afforded to
the protection of the built heritage and the historic environment as is given to the
protection of natural environment features.
Relevant to all SEA themes
Structure Plan Policy SDA1: Strategic Development Areas:
Master plans will be developed for integrated development of large scale release of
land for development. These are required to set out provision of employment land,
minimum 300 houses, transport links, community facilities and ancillary development.
Structure Plan Policy BL1: Rehabilitation and re-use of brownfield land
Re-use of brownfield land will generally be supported
See above under proposals for sustainable communities. The detail of the
master plans will be subject to full environmental impact appraisals.
Relevant to all SEA themes
West Fife contains some brownfield sites including former colliery sites which
are in need of rehabilitation and re-use. However, the after use must be
sustainable and achieved in an environmentally acceptable way.
Relevant SEA themes: brownfield land, settlements, historic environment,
landscape, biodiversity
Structure Plan Policy DC1: Developer Requirements for Essential Community
Infrastructure
Infrastructure requirements will include public transport improvements,
investment in waste water treatment and landscape enhancement
Developers will be required to pay for essential infrastructure
Relevant SEA themes: energy usage for transport, water quality, contaminated
sites, landscape, settlements and historic environment
Structure Plan Policy C1: Strategic Infrastructure
West Fife contains a number of water courses of poor quality, and water
treatment capacity forms a constraint on development in a few areas.
Development to accord with the National Planning Framework and will be related to
planned investment in waste water treatment infrastructure
Structure Plan Policy E1 and Proposal PE1: Employment Land
Schedule of new employment land in addition to sites in the Strategic Development
Relevant SEA themes: water quality
There is a range of existing and new employment land in West Fife with the
major allocation in the Dunfermline Strategic Land area. Office developments
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Annex 1: The Plan context – the Structure Plan
Summary of key features of the strategy and policies relevant to the SEA
Areas (see above). Smaller sites will be provided for employment land in settlements
of more than 5,000, for offices in district centres and for hotels throughout the area.
Context set for the Local Plan
would also be restricted to Dunfermline. The area has a number of locations
where this policy may result in new hotel development.
Relevant to all SEA themes
Structure Plan Policies S1, S2, S3 and Proposal PS1: Town Centres and Retailing
New retail developments will be focused on existing town centres. Other sites will be
required to satisfy the ‘sequential approach’ to selecting sites – development will not be
permitted if alternative sites are available closer to town centres.
Structure Plan Policies H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6: Housing
Most land will be provided in strategic release areas (see above). Elsewhere housing
should as far as possible be provided on brownfield sites and close to jobs and
services. 25% of housing in the Local Plan area to be ‘affordable,.’ Developments will
generally be expected to be built at a density of over 25 houses per hectare.
The policies will generally protect the vitality of town centres and reduce demand
for travel to out-of-town centres
Relevant SEA themes: energy use (for transport), settlements, landscape
These policies are intended to minimise the amount of housing away from
settlements, reduce transport needs, and assist people to obtain decent housing
in the communities in which they work or have been brought up.
Relevant SEA themes: energy use for transport, settlements, landscape
The Structure Plan requires the early delivery of affordable housing components of
residential developments.
Structure Plan Policies T1, T2, Proposal PT1: Transport
Developments must be located where they are accessible to public transport, where
links can be provided to cycle routes and walking routes and where there is sufficient
road capacity. Specific developments include the new Forth road crossing, public
transport in the Forth Bridgehead Area with links into Dunfermline, passenger rail on
the Dunfermline to Stirling rail line, Rosyth Bypass, the Charlestown Rail Junction,
Dunfermline - Additional Southern Link and Inverkeithing to Halbeath Rail Link. Routes
in West Fife will be protected for the Fife Coast Path.
Structure Plan Policy R1: Wind Turbines
The policies are designed to promote public transport and to relieve town
centres of pollution from traffic. Full details of the land requirements for the new
Forth Crossing, the Inverkeithing to Halbeath Rail Link and the LRT / BLT have
yet to be finalised and can only be considered as in-principle proposals/
Relevant SEA themes: energy use for transport, air pollution, landscape,
settlements, biodiversity (in relation to new infrastructure)
Wind turbines will be encouraged where they can be accommodated within the
landscape, and have no adverse local environmental impacts
West Fife could be an attractive location for wind energy. The policy is intended
to facilitate investment in renewable energy generation whilst conserving the
landscape and environment.
The approved Structure Plan sets out criteria for assessing proposals for windfarms in
excess of 20 megawatts and guidance on the process of more detailed consideration
Relevant SEA themes: biodiversity (especially birds), alternative energy
production, landscape
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Annex 1: The Plan context – the Structure Plan
Summary of key features of the strategy and policies relevant to the SEA
including proposals located outside areas of search.
Context set for the Local Plan
Structure Plan Policies M1, M2, M3,: Minerals
West Fife has significant mineral resources (hard rock, silica sandstone and
coal). The policy will restrict the potential adverse impacts of quarrying.
Production generally limited to local markets, and the use of re-cycled minerals or
alternative materials is encouraged
Structure Plan Policy W1: Strategic Waste Management
Safeguarding of sites required to implements the Area Waste Plan. West Fife has a
key strategic site at Lochhead Landfill site near Dunfermline.
Structure Plan Policy ENV1: Landscape Setting
The landscape to the south west and west of Dunfermline is to be managed by a green
belt. Other Special Landscape Areas to be determined through local plans.
Relevant SEA themes: air pollution, material assets, landscape
The policy is intended to support increases in re-cycling and reduction in the use
of landfill.
Relevant SEA themes: climate, material assets, landscape, settlements
The purpose of the policy is to protect the landscape from unsuitable
development.
Relevant SEA themes: landscape, settlements, historic environment
Structure Plan Policies ENV2, ENV3, ENV 4 Nature conservation
Implements national and international obligations:
Protection of all nationally and internationally designated nature conservation areas.
Relevant SEA themes: biodiversity
They also require developers to consider the impact of their proposals on nature
conservation interests and to take appropriate measures to maintain and where
possible enhance those interests.
Structure Plan Policy ENV5: Built Environment, that would protect the character,
appearance, and setting of designated built/cultural heritage site against harmful
development.
Local Plan policies to provide protection for the built and historic environments
and for archaeology.
Structure Plan Policy ENV5: Forestry and Woodland
Policy intended to restrict inappropriate forestry planting whilst encouraging
accessible and sustainable woodland development.
Restricts forestry to areas identified in the Indicative Forestry Strategy, and encourages
woodland planting where it would enhance the landscape setting of settlements
Structure Plan Policy ENV6: Countryside Recreation and Access
Support for development which will extend the existing path network which should be
identified by the Core Paths Plan
Relevant themes: landscape, settlements, historic environment
Relevant SEA themes: biodiversity, settlements (access) and landscape
The purpose is to increase the opportunities for access to the countryside and
offer an alternative to motorised forms of transport.
Relevant SEA themes: settlements
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