The application from Green Oak Ventures to Fife Council is a partially retrospective one with a small scale holiday accommodation business already in operation.
It is seeking permission for the siting of two glamping pods and two log cabins for use as holiday accommodation, the siting of a storage container, the installation of solar array, the erection of a timber building, and the installation and alteration of boundary enclosures.
A planning statement explained that consent was previously granted in 2021 to change the use of the land to a ‘hutting site” which, at the time, was intended for family recreational use.
“Since this time our client has established a small scale holiday accommodation business, the ‘Green Oak Nature Retreat’ on the site, with the proposal non-compliant with the earlier consent,” it said.
“Our client has been approached by the Council’s Enforcement Officer regarding this matter and this application seeks to resolve the situation. The applicant has advised us that there was not an understanding of the need for planning permission for the commercial use of the site.
The business already has a “short-term let licence” from Fife Council for a maximum of 10 guests.
Close to the Fordell Firs Scout Campsite and activity centre, the site is on an area of woodland located to the east of the B891, which runs between Hillend and Crossgates.
The planning agents said the plot was “well located” for travel, both active and vehicular and would not encourage unsustainable travel.
“The proposal will support the aims of Fife’s aims to promote tourism as a key component of the Fife economy,” they added. “There is no conflict with surrounding land uses or the residential amenity of the local area.
“As the accommodation already on the site, the two pods, has been let since mid 2024 the applicant is already aware that the business is viable and can sustain some scale growth with additional units.”