Two drive-thrus planned in development to breathe new life into empty site
Plans for a development in Glenrothes which will include two drive-thru restaurants have been given the go-ahead.
Bluewater (Glenrothes 1) Limited had applied for permission to erect a mixed-use development which will also include 11 commercial units and an electric vehicle charging park on the Eastfield Industrial Estate.
It said the plans will secure the redevelopment and reuse of a brownfield site which has lain vacant for over 20 years - and bring “significant” job creation and economic benefits.
A report from planners acknowledged that the applicant had provided evidence of a prolonged marketing of the site which has been vacant since 2002.
“The applicant contends that this demonstrates market failure for standalone employment development and justifies a mixed-use approach, with the proposed drive-through units acting as enabling development necessary to fund remediation and delivery of the employment elements, which would otherwise be unviable,” they stated.
“The council’s economic development team advises that although there is market evidence of demand for employment land within Glenrothes, the team accepts that the site has been thoroughly marketed for employment use.
“The proposal for industrial warehousing is considered aligned with policy and welcomed by the team.”
Approving the application, the report said the proposals did meet planning policies.