Derelict Cupar landmarksin line for some major TLC

If planning applications are approved, the B-listed Burgh Chambers will be given an extensive facelift while the former World War Two MoD listening station at Hawklaw, just outside Cupar, will eventually become a modern family home.

Plans for the Burgh Chambers – which is currently on the ‘at risk’ register – have been drawn up by Cupar-based Arc Architects and the work would be carried out thanks to a £1.5 million investment earmarked to improve the town centre.

£1 million was awarded by Fife Historic Buildings Trust under the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme – CARS – and a further £550,000 came from lottery funding under a scheme called the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Fife Historic Buildings Trust held a public consultation on what should happen to the building and the idea of a holiday let proved to be the most popular option.

The new accommodation would include two en suite bedrooms, a living area and kitchen.

Built in 1815, the Burgh Chambers was originally designed as a meeting place for what was then Cupar Town Council.

It was abandoned altogether more than 20 years ago when Fife Council became a unitary authority based in Glenrothes and, say Arc Architects, will require significant work to make it watertight and structurally safe.

In addition, some ‘inappropriate’ previous alterations will be undone.

The architects plan to retain the historic character of the building as much as possible, refurbishing the clock faces, bell, windows and weather vane on the exterior and repairing original ceiling and wall finishes inside.

So far there have been no objections to the plans, which will be considered by councillors in due course.

Meanwhile the application to convert the listening station will be the latest in its chequered planning history.

Over the years, permission has been granted for the derelict facility to be used for everything from a children’s holiday centre to a nursing home.

It was bought in 2012 by the present applicant, George Beaton, and at that time had planning consent for nine houses.

However Mr Beaton now hopes to convert the site for private residential use and has also applied to build a log home to accommodate him and his family while the main house is being constructed.

The listening station, which has been deserted since the 1980s, once employed 120 people.