Five-person house in multiple occupation at 27 Fod Street, Halbeath, Dunfermline
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Fife Planning Committee; West and Central Area Planning Committee; North East Planning Committee on 26 Aug 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought to change a three-bedroom flat into a five-person house in multiple occupation, without external alterations.
“The application seeks planning permission for the change of use from flatted dwelling (Sui Generis) to House in Multiple Occupation (5 persons) (Sui Generis). No external alterations are proposed as part of this application.”
Officer report
The site
The ground-floor flat is in a four-in-a-block building within Dunfermline’s settlement boundary, surrounded mainly by residential properties.
“The application relates to a three-bedroom, ground floor residential flat located within the settlement boundary of Dunfermline. The property is contained within a 4-in-a-block building, located on Fod Street. The immediate surrounding area largely comprises of residential properties, with Halbeath Nursery and Protected Open Space to the south-east and the former Fife College Campus to the north-west.”
Officer report
Planning history
There was no relevant planning history for the site.
“There is no relevant planning history for this site.”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because the proposal was compatible with the area and would not cause significant harm to amenity, safety or waste management.
“This proposal is considered to be acceptable in meeting the terms of NPF4, FIFEplan 2017 policies, other relevant national policy/guidance and Fife Council Customer Planning Guidance. The proposal is compatible with the area in terms of land use. Furthermore, no significant impacts would arise in regard to road safety, amenity or infrastructure/waste collection.”
“It is accordingly recommended that the application be approved subject to the following conditions and reasons:”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Transportation Development Management recommended refusal, while the Operations Team gave no response.
“Transportation Development Management (Planning, Climate and Sustainability Service) Transportation And Environmental Services - Operations Team…”
Officer report
The committee debate
Councillors proposed both approval and refusal, with refusal based on parking provision and road and pedestrian safety.
“26/01344/FULL - 27 FOD STREET HALBEATH DUNFERMLINE The committee considered a report by the Head of Planning, Climate and Sustainability Service relating to the change of use from flatted dwelling (Sui Generis) to house in multiple occupation (5 persons) (Sui Generis). Motion Councillor Beare, seconded by Councillor Alexander, moved to approve the application subject to the one condition and for the reason detailed in the report.”
“Policies 1, 3 and 10 of the Adopted FIFEplan Local Development Plan (2017); and Making Fife’s Places Supplementary Planning Guidance, Appendix G (2018) – as the proposed development, in its location, would have a detrimental impact on road and pedestrian safety due to the lack of off-street parking provision appropriate to the development.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
The resolution gives these reasons:
“On the grounds that the proposed development was considered to be contrary to Policy 13 of National Planning Framework 4 (2023); Policies 1, 3 and 10 of the Adopted FIFEplan Local Development Plan (2017); and Making Fife’s Places Supplementary Planning Guidance, Appendix G (2018) – as the proposed development, in its location, would have a detrimental impact on road and pedestrian safety due to the lack of off-street parking provision appropriate to the development. The committee adjourned at 3.45 pm and reconvened at 3.55 pm.”
Minutes
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Fife Planning Committee; West and Central Area Planning Committee; North East Planning Committee minutes, 26 August 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Fife's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Fife Planning Committee; West and Central Area Planning Committee; North East Planning Committee
- Council
- Fife
- Date
- Wednesday 26 August 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Refused, against officer advice
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
- All decisions
- Fife committee decisions →
This committee's year
27 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 4 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.