High Street development: Construction 'pain' worth the gain for new housing

Alistair Cameron’s comments came after members of the Central and West Planning Committee approved a planning application to turn the site of the old Co-op into a new residential development.

The land has sat empty for almost 15 years, but now, Newport Property Development of Broughty Ferry wants to take it on, and demolish the adjacent empty furniture shop to create 39 new flats.

The development will also include two offices on the ground floor.

A housing plan to transform a Kirkcaldy High Street gap site has been approved

Mr Cameron, who represents Kirkcaldy central, said this was his personal project - he brought planners and developers together 18 months ago when the project were going nowhere.

He said: “I had done so much work on this, and I was so chuffed to see it get approved. As a local councillor for that area I was delighted to see the plans unanimously voted through.

"The only disappointment is that it has been a really long journey to get here and put this together. There are lessons to be learned from this, because if we want to be more proactive in the High Street, particularly with residential work, then we have to work a lot quicker. We can’t afford to have prime sites lying for 15 years with no development and being an eyesore.

"I am glad the objections have been answered unequivocally by a unanimous decision by the committee and I look forward to the development starting.”

But he warned the biggest issue is going to be the disruption to residents and local businesses when construction works begin.

He said: “Down Kirk Wynd and that part of the High Street there will be some disruption in getting this project finished and that will be the biggest issue.”

"There is going to be a bit of pain to be suffered creating this development, but it will be worthwhile when it is completed.”

He added that while there may be issues with a lack of parking spaces at the development, there would be spaces for cars in the nearby council car park behind Cafe Continental.

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