The Fife LDP sets out land use planning policies to guide where development should and should not go over the next 20 years.

The government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division said the examination of the blueprint has been pushed back because the council submitted insufficient information.

It claimed to have had to issue more than 100 requests for more information to the local authority including climate change, the scale of housing and population change, infrastructure planning and sustainable economic growth.

Lesley Laird, Fife Council’s depute leader, said she is “deeply concerned” at the postponement and has written to housing minister Kevin Stewart.

“I’ve asked the Minister to clarify what the ‘unforeseen circumstances’ are so that we can work together with DPEA colleagues to do all we can to make sure the report is published week beginning 14 November, the latest date we’ve been given,” she said.

“These delays are causing uncertainly in the Fife economy and anxiety for communities and developers. There are a number of major planning applications where the applicants are awaiting the outcomes of the examination before progressing with their applications.

“As well as the significant overrun of timescales, the cost to the council is considerable and continues to escalate. I have again asked the Scottish Government the extent to which DPEA should cover the costs arising from the ongoing delay.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Reporters considering the Fife local development plan have had to issue over 100 requests for more information because of insufficient information submitted by the council.

“This is an unprecedented number and has inevitably had an impact on the length of time being taken to conduct the examination.

“DPEA has already responded to Councillor Laird’s concerns and will consider any further issues brought to our attention.”