Potential surrounding the historic promenade will remain unexplored for as long as it continues as a dual carriageway 'race track' with buildings facing landward, elected members argued his week.

Councillor Neil Crooks said: "I do not believe any councillor thinks a dual carriageway on the Promenade is the way forward. It shuts the sea off entirely from the town centre.

"We need developments to face the water, not backwards. The town is the wrong way around."

Members met on Monday to discuss the Kirkcaldy and Mid Fife Local Plan - a document detailing a long-term statutory framework for land use across the region.

The plan looks to develop Kirkcaldy's role as the main 'commercial, leisure and service centre' for mid Fife, by regenerating its town centre and waterfront and promoting usage of disused land.

Housing features highly with 3000 properties identified for the south west of the town along with 40 hectares of employment land.

Within this, over the next 20 years, the Redhouse roundabout will be improved and community leisure facilities will be delivered. High quality office facilities are planned for the John Smith Business Park along with limited expansion of the retail park.

Read the full story in this week's Fife free Press.