£30,000 pledged to Fife plan challenge

The Courier, 13 August 2009

The Court of Session challenge made to Fife's structure plan by a single resident of St Andrews has so far attracted pledges of almost £30,000 towards legal costs that could run to twice that amount.

The news came yesterday from Penny Uprichard. Her legal action, if successful, could stop the structure plan in its tracks, with the whole document being sent back to the council.

Though Miss Uprichard's action relates mainly to St Andrews housing numbers, it nevertheless challenges Scottish ministers on the entire plan.

She said yesterday that, many people being on holiday, a "speedy and supportive" response had come in just three weeks.

"Pledges to the challenge fund now total £29,300, plus extremely generous donations of £1975. I have even received 10 first class stamps - a most thoughtful contribution," she said.

There were around 2500 objections to the Fife structure plan, approved only after a lengthy and unexplained delay as it lay with Scottish government ministers, first with the former Labour administration, then latterly with the SNP.

Miss Uprichard said it had been confirmed by Fife Council's legal service that, until there is a decision in the Court of Session, the council is legally required to follow the provisions of the adopted structure plan.

This, she said, includes proceeding with the St Andrews and east Fife local plan process as scheduled.

She said, "The structure plan attracted strong objections from many local and national bodies, including Dundee City Council, and questions are still being asked about its most damaging aspects. There should be further investigation before it is set in concrete, and is then unable to fulfill its provisions."