First glimpse of how controversial hub at heart of Kirkcaldy £20million plan could look

The building has been the subject of debate since it was first mooted by Fife Council.

Unveiled as the Adam Smith Growth Hub, its initial brief as a place for business and enterprise didn’t chime with what people wanted to see in the masterplan, which will determine how the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund pot of cash is invested.and is seen as

It is now billed as a community space - one still to be fully fleshed out - and is seen as key to delivering something new that will then attract other investors and developers.

It is planned for the vast service bay that has sat largely hidden from view and underused behind the former Royal bank of Scotland building at the back of the now demolished multi-story car parks.

The artist’s impressions showed the scale of the proposed building, and a bright, open spaces within it which can be used for everything from a cafe or restaurant to an entertainment and creatives space, as well as offering a place for business and entrepreneurs - all overlooking the Forth with green space to its front.

The hub was just one part of the giant jigsaw unveiled at drop-in sessions at the Town House last Thursday which attracted huge turnouts.

Residents were able to study the plans in more detail and see how the pieces could fit - and give their views on what works, and what they’d like to see as the funding is used as the catalyst for transformative change in the coming years.

The council plans to host further drop-ins sessions in June and August to finalise its framework, while the case is also dispatched to the Department of Trade & Industry for sign off.

The local authority’s Cabinet will also get its say later this summer.

Nearly 300 people attended the sessions. Held at the Town House, the events brought together local people, community groups and project teams working on the next stage of the town’s transformation. There was a real buzz throughout the day, with plenty of passion, ideas and questions about the future of Kirkcaldy.

Consultants, Collective Architecture, were on hand to give an overview of the road ahead, Greener Kirkcaldy spoke about the greening of the waterfront, and Kingdom Housing Association spotlighted its work with Cruden Homes to create a major new housing development on the site of the former Postings Shopping Centre. A planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of the year.

Councillor Ian Cameron, convener of Kirkcaldy Area Committee, said: “Thank you to everyone who came along and took the time to speak with us. There was a real energy in the room, and it was clear how much people care about Kirkcaldy and its future.

“We’re still developing the long-term plan, and feedback like this is an important part of that. People asked thoughtful questions, shared ideas and challenged us in a constructive way – all of which will help shape what happens next.

“This is just one step in an ongoing conversation, and we’re keen to hear from as many people as possible as the work continues.”

The sessions were part of ongoing work to develop a long-term plan for the town centre and waterfront, alongside a number of projects already underway – including a new flexible community building, development opportunities across the town centre, a green space strategy, and new housing at the former Postings site.

People who attended were able to find out more about how plans are developing, see how earlier feedback is being taken into account, speak directly to the teams involved and share their own ideas and priorities

An online drop-in session is open for feedback until June 5 at transformingkirkcaldy.fife.scot

There will be further drop--in sessions on Tuesday, June 23 and Tuesday, August. 25.