Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Unanimous approval for retail park development
A RETAIL park in northeast Fife has been given the green light for construction.
Six large units for food and nonfood retail — including a takeaway — are to be built in Cupar, adjacent to the Tesco supermarket.
It is not yet known which retailers are likely to occupy the premises in South Road, but it was previously indicated some well-known names had expressed interest.
The retail park is to be built on land bought from Tesco by London and Scottish Investments in 2015.
Members of Fife Council’s north east planning committee had voiced concerns about road safety, particularly for children walking or cycling past the site to and from school, but gave the proposals unanimous approval.
Bryan Wilson, group development director of London and Scottish Investments (LSI), said the company was grateful for the committee’s decision and added: “We are looking forward to bringing this derelict site back to life with an exciting new retail development and will be making announcements about the programme and occupiers over the next few weeks.”
Tesco abandoned its plans to build a larger supermarket on the land several years ago and the site, previously occupied by the Reekie Group, was one of several across the country it sold to LSI.
Council planner William Shand said town centre retailers could see more custom if the new units mean people shop in Cupar rather than going further afield to retail parks in Kirkcaldy or Dundee.
He said: “When people shop there, they may also shop in the town centre as well, so there should be a benefit in that regard.”
A mini-roundabout is to be built at the entrance to the park in South Road.
Cupar councillor Karen Marjoram said: “Guidance around the safety of cyclists suggests mini-roundabouts are probably the worst thing you can put in from a cyclist’s perspective.
“This is a walking route to school and we are encouraging youngsters to cycle to school, so it doesn’t seem to add up.”
However, transportation officer Richard Simmons said pedestrians were “extremely well catered for” in the plans, with three crossing options.