20-05-2025
Plans for new Scottish resort with 91 holiday homes rejected after abandoned site branded a ‘death trap'
Read on to discover exactly why the plans were shelved
RETREAT BLOW Plans for new Scottish resort with 91 holiday homes rejected after abandoned site branded a 'death trap'
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CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn an abandoned WWII airfield into a holiday destination have been grounded by the government.
Developers wanted to transform Crail Airfield and build a hotel, museum and market hall amid claims the scheme would generate millions for the local economy.
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Crail Airfield is a historic Cold War site located in Fife
Credit: Fife Council
They also wanted to include 91 holiday units and small business premises at the site near the popular coastal location in Fife.
But locals refused to back the scheme to develop the historic airfield that last saw service in the Cold War.
Crail Community Council said it could create a 'death trap' with an estimated 1,300 extra vehicles attempting to access the site each week.
West Lothian-based Ground Developments were refused planning permission by Fife Council and went to the government in a bid to overturn the ruling.
A government reporter has now rejected the scheme.
An appeal document on the developer's behalf said: "The Economic Impact Assessment prepared for the application estimated that the site could generate hundreds of jobs for the area over the first 10 years and add millions of pounds to the local economy.
"The appellant considers that this proposal might be one of the last chances to safeguard the future of a highly significant heritage site while bringing community benefits and economic opportunities for Crail, its local economy, and the airfield."
Historic Environment Scotland describes Crail Airfield as 'the best-preserved example' of a Second World War Naval Airfield in Scotland.
David Jerdan, chairman of Crail community council, said: "Most people agree the old airfield has turned into an eyesore and something needs to be done with it.
'But this is not the way.
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'If we get much more traffic passing through the narrows, it's only a matter of time before someone gets injured or worse.
'It's a potential death trap.'
There were over 200 objections to plans submitted to Fife Council for the planning application.
Rejecting the plans, the council said: "In the interests of road safety and proper planning; the application proposal by virtue of its location, form and scale would result in an unacceptable impact upon road safety as a result of introducing a significant number of additional vehicular movements to the locality which would be considered excessive in the context of the capacity of the existing local roads/transport infrastructure."
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Plans for a new Scots holiday resort were rejected by the government
Credit: GDL
Government reporter Sue Bell said: "I have taken account of the benefits of the proposals, including redevelopment of a brownfield site listed on the Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey.
"Potential benefits in terms of restoration and reuse of listed buildings cannot be secured through this application.
"However, I do not consider that these benefits are sufficient to overcome the disbenefits of the scheme."
