The society believes if there is to be any new housing on the site, it should mostly be the “affordable” type for which there is such demand in North East Fife.

Last month it was revealed the extensive multi-million-pound leisure facilities at Drumoig are to be at the centre of a world-wide marketing campaign as Dundee-based owners Torith seek either a joint venture partner or an outright sale.

It was made clear the hotel, golf course, former Scottish National Golf Centre building, and the driving range are all to be offered in the wider leisure market.

These elements, which cover around 300 acres of land, were brought under the direct control of Torith, which is also responsible for the extensive residential development at Drumoig in March.

It was also revealed the 1995 plans to create a 150-bedroom hotel, 20 corporate villas and a further two lodges have been dropped and the emphasis for future development is now firmly on further permanent homes. This was confirmed a fortnight ago when Torith lodged an outline application with Fife Council for housing at the Pickletillem site.

Mr Pride says in his letter that to the “mystified outsider", the burgeoning of private housing in the middle of the countryside adjacent to the hamlet of Pickletillem can only be explained in planning terms as the result of the “tourist/golf loophole” — the policy which encourages the construction of a golf course with residential facilities. Consent was given in 1995.

Now, he said, according to the applicants’ supporting statement, the ‘holiday residential’ element of the original plan is not viable, the projected 150-bed hotel has shrunk to a 29-bed, the proposed seven lodges and 20 corporate villas have been abandoned. Furthermore, he said the SGU indoor practice facility has failed and the future of the SGU HQ is uncertain. He said it was also conceded by the applicant that the promised comprehensive landscaping of the development has not been successful.

He said the applicant claimed Drumoig provides 117 jobs, but of these 50 are in-house construction and 15 are employed at SGU HQ. He said it seems the applicants now wish to concentrate on their lucrative private housing. So far, 120 houses have been built and eventually they wish to provide an additional 150 houses.

The society considers any new proposals and the future of the whole settlement must be very carefully considered and assessed by the council’s east area development committee.

Mr Pride said, “At present on site there is an 18-hole golf course, a 29-bed hotel and three virtually independent housing developments. The latest is at least a half mile from the other two. The appearance of these developments is some exclusive suburbia not even related, in planning terms, to the nearest hamlet, Pickletillem.

A car is essential. There is no bus service within the settlement. It is assumed that only 50% of second garages are utilised and the present settlement generates almost 200 vehicles. The present population may be well over 300. If the applicants are permitted to carry out their amended scheme, occupation numbers will exceed 600 with the possibility of 400 vehicles.

“It must be emphasised these numbers will be contained in a settlement with no community centre, no facilities for children, no shops, no public transport, no church. Their vehicles will simply contribute to the congestion in all surrounding roads and towns.

“If it is no longer to remain an exclusive settlement but become, instead, a proper independent village, not only the facilities detailed will have to be provided but a well-balanced mix of accommodation will have to be available. The society is of the opinion that if more housing be permitted it should be mostly of the smaller, affordable type.

“The society objects to any further development on this project until the applicants submit full details of their future intentions.”