Ambitious masterplan for Fife town centre approved

The masterplan sets out the route map for the redevelopment and evolution of the town centre over the next decade.

It sets out a number of goals to help this happen, such as creating a view over Riverside Park, improving green links around the town centre, providing more flexible and affordable retail, commercial and residential units, and securing a pipeline of public and private investment in the area.

Nine sites in the town centre have been identified as potential opportunities for development: the former police station at Napier Road, the former Kingdom House site, the under-utilised retail units at Rothesay Place, the entrance to Riverside Park from Fullerton Road, the car park to the rear of the YMCA, the former Glenrothes House site, the site in front of the Kino cinema, Marchmont Gate and Albany Gate.

"The report recognises the future challenges and opportunities for the town centre, including the rapidly changing situation in retail, and sets out a series of recommendations for future investment,” explained Gordon Mole, Fife Council's head of business and employability.

"Clearly Glenrothes has been impacted by the pandemic but officers are of the view, as are other consultants, that this does present an opportunity for Glenrothes town centre.”

Mr Mole was speaking to councillors at the Glenrothes area committee.

Cllr Altany Craik said the pandemic had provided councillors with the opportunity to make a “step change” regarding the town centre.

One focus of discussion was green routes around the town centre, with Mr Mole noting that the town centre, having been developed at a time when car usage was on the rise, is designed around those travelling by car.

Another point of discussion was the ease with which people are able to travel around the town centre and the location of the bus station.

It was noted that the current closing time of the Kingdom Shopping Centre means people have to travel around the centre in order to reach sites during the evening, such as the Kino cinema or the recent developments on North Street.