Retail park expansion plans recommended for refusal

Controversial plans to expand a retail park are to be determined by councillors this week.

Members of Fife Council’s west planning area committee have been advised to refuse the proposed expansion of the Halbeath Retail Park in Dunfermline.

The group is to meet on Wednesday, with a proposal to construct nine new units at land to the north of the current shopping complex.

The plans have proven controversial, with the Halbeath Residents and Tenants Association and Zurich Assurance, which owns the Carnegie Retail Park, having submitted formal objections to the proposals.

Planning officers say that expanding the development could jeopardise the future of Dunfermline town centre and have recommended the application be refused.

In a briefing for councillors, case officer William Shand, from Fife Council’s planning department, said: “The proposal would change the character of the Halbeath Retail Park by increasing the range of retail available, providing additional food and drink outlets and changing the development’s relationship with Dunfermline Town Centre from being complementary to an alternative competing shopping destination.”

Previous plans to expand the complex were refused last year, again because of fears over the future of the town centre.

Developers claimed more than 200 jobs would be created by the expansion, with Lidl and Marks and Spencer just two retailers linked with locating to the revamped retail park, if the plans had been approved.

That proposal was defeated, however, by five votes to three.