Former bakery to be turned into flats despite objections

Flats in the historic heart of Dunfermline, which were described as “not acceptable” by planners, have been approved because of an earlier agreement.

Fife Council’s west planning committee gave local firm Hunter and Turnbull permission to convert the former Stephens Bakery shop into five flats and build a threestorey block of six flats.

The previous approval was for alterations to six existing flats to form eight, conversion of the shop into three flats and two houses and construction of a further nine flats.

It had also been recommended for refusal before it was approved by the then Dunfermline area committee in February 2009.

Giving a cautious welcome to the revised plans, SNP councillor Alice McGarry said: “This seems like something which is a lot better but not perhaps what a lot of people thought would be appropriate for that area.”

Fife Council received nine letters of objection.

A report to the planning committee said: “While the proposal is considered to be compatible with its surrounds in terms of land use, the proposal is not considered acceptable due to its impact on the conservation area and residential amenity.

“However, the extant planning permission is a significant material consideration which in this instance justifies setting aside the provisions of the development plan.

“The proposal would result in less detrimental impacts on surrounding residential properties, road safety and would have less of a visual impact on the surrounding Dunfermline conservation area when compared to the previously approved, extant, planning permissions.”