Owner of Station Court on Bennochy Road, Robert Kilgour, is working with Kingdom Homes Ltd on the development.

And he believes over 100 jobs will be created thanks to the build.
Councillors at Kirkcaldy's area committee yesterday (Wednesday) voted seven to three to approve the £3 million plans, which have been on the table since the summer.

Mr Kilgour said: "This is great news and I am very pleased that we have received planning permission so we can move on to the next stage.

"There is now a lot of work to be done in sorting out the finances but I am quietly confident.

"After that we will move to get building warrants as soon as possible and we could even start gutting the building in the next few weeks.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to Colin Smart of Kingdom Homes, he has been brilliant throughout this process."

He believes that, subject to securing the building warrants, work could start early in the spring.

The building, which has lain empty for two years, was previously a care home and is adjacent to the B-listed Adam Smith Theatre.

The planning permission granted yesterday will provide a 50-bedroom care home, as well as office space which will serve as headquarters and training space for Kingdom Homes Ltd.

A three-and-a-half storey extension is planned for the property.

Objections were raised by nearby residents, Kirkcaldy West Community Council and The Scottish Civic Trust.

Concerns about the height of the proposed extension, lack of parking, road safety and light issues were some of the representations.

Some councillors at yesterday's meeting also expressed worries about the height of the extension.

However, they were overruled in the final vote.