PLANS to fill in Prestonhill Quarry where four people lost their lives in tragic accidents in the past 50 years have been rejected by councillors.

DDR (UK) Limited sought planning permission in principle for a mixed use development comprising 180 homes, holiday lodges and a cafe/bistro at the site in Inverkeithing.

They also wanted to fill in the quarry and remove the deep pond of water where four fatal accidents occurred between 1973 and 2017.

But while planners recommended approval, members of Fife Council’s central and west planning committee voted 7-4 to refuse consent.

Councillor David Coleman, who moved refusal, said: “Something needs to be done on this site but this isn’t it.

“This is not sympathetic to the area and, while I do recognise the tragedies that have occurred, and God forbid it doesn’t happen again, I do think something better needs to come forward.”  

He was backed by Cllr John Beare, who said the management of the site had been “nothing short of deplorable” and added: “There may be a proposal that could be considered on this site but I don’t believe this is it.”

The former dolerite quarry, at the eastern edge of Inverkeithing, is used as informal recreation space by local residents and visitors to the Fife Coastal Path.

The water-filled void is around 11 metres deep in places and has been used over the years by divers, and as a diver training venue, but has also been blighted by illegal dumping with everything from old tyres and trolleys to sunken boats and vehicles abandoned there.

Local councillors have complained of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour at the quarry and there have been safety fears, in particular when tragedy has struck.

Twelve-year-old Robert O’Neil fell to his death at the quarry in 1973, and there were a further two fatalities in the space of 10 months.

Cameron Lancaster, 18, from Burntisland, drowned in August 2014, while John McKay, 18, from Kirkcaldy, lost his life in June 2015.

Then, in July 2017, the body of Kelda Henderson, 36, a teacher from Edinburgh who was scuba diving at the site, was recovered from the water.

Despite the deaths, there has been a significant swell of opposition to the redevelopment plans and 162 letters of objection were submitted to the council. 

DDR said there was a serious issue of criminal and anti-social behaviour associated with the quarry area but Mary Farrell, chair of the Inverkeithing Trust, described that argument as “weak” and with “little merit”.

“Arguably, the action to prevent the anti-social incidents should be through implementing other appropriate/security measures,” she said. 

“If it is accepted that crime should not pay, then criminal or anti-social behaviour cannot be an argument for the development of 180 houses.”

Inverkeithing Community Council said a survey conducted locally suggested 81 per cent of respondents were against the proposal, while 70 per cent were against the quarry pool being filled in.

“In representing the people of the town’s opinion and for the reasons set out, Inverkeithing Community Council state it is firmly opposed to this development,” a spokesperson added.

“There are clear and material planning grounds for refusal by Fife Council and should they do, otherwise the Local Development Plan process would be rendered meaningless.”

However, while case officer Martin McGroarty said he “wholeheartedly” understood the community’s views, he suggested it was “only by the grace of God” that no-one had been killed by rock fall at the abandoned quarry.

He added: “If this is approved, it will keep alive the prospect of an acceptable development while also removing a significant and ongoing hazard at the same time.”

Cllr Andrew Verrecchia lodged an amendment, seconded by Cllr Bobby Clelland, calling for approval of the plans but the vote went against them.