AN application to put a fast food takeaway on Dunnikier Estate has met with massive public outcry.
And the objections have been firmly backed by local councillors who say that putting a takeaway next to the David Sands supermarket in Ralston Drive would bring back the "terrible" problems of anti-social behaviour the police and community have worke
d for years trying to stamp out.
A decision on the planning application by Stanley Morrice, of Fintry, Aberdeenshire, was deferred by members of the Kirkcaldy Area Committee last week for more information on the work which has been done – and the problems experienced by local residents.
Fife Council received 83 letters of objection to the plans, including one from Kirkcaldy North Community Council on subjects ranging from an increase in anti-social behaviour to lack of parking, litter and the proximity to a local primary school.
Officials said many of their concerns – including over provision and devaluation of house prices – were not planning issues and could not be taken into consideration.
And because there were no objections from the Council's transportation department on parking or road safety issues, they recommended acceptance of the application.
Councillor Carol Lindsay, SNP representative for Kirkcaldy North, backed the objectors' fears that it would lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.
She said: "A hot food takeaway would attract an anti-social element.
''The residents have had to put up with an awful lot of that over the last few months."
Councillor David Torrance, SNP councillor for Kirkcaldy Central, and a Dunnikier Estate resident, added: "The anti-social element has caused terrible problems.
''It costs a lot of police time as well as nuisance to residents and this would attract that back – we would have youths hanging about the shop."
The Council's legal adviser explained that there was normally some sort of anti-social element attracted to that type of premises and because there was an existing use in place it was a question of balancing up the pros and cons.
Planner James Wright said the use met all the planning criteria.
Councillor Neil Crooks who also represents Kirkcaldy North, said: "I don't think we should miss the point that the community, in large numbers, don't want this.
"We have to appreciate that the three local councillors along with the police have spent considerable time and effort to get that whole area calmed down, and we could put that all in jeopardy."
The committee agreed to defer a decision for a police report and more information from transportation on parking issues.
