Former store set to become a pub.

Old Co-op store change marked for approval despite residents’ fears over anti-social behaviour

A controversial plan to turn a former convenience store in Kirkcaldy into a pub could win approval next week.

Locals living in and around Pentland Place are concerned about Eros Limited’s change of use application to give the old Co-op a new lease of life, citing potential antisocial behaviour as the main reason why it should be rejected.

However, The Courier has learned planners feel the development should go ahead, with members of the central area planning committee being asked to back it at Monday’s meeting.

Case officer Scott Simpson confirmed the plans are marked for conditional approval despite six letters of objection.

“The proposed development would have no further detrimental impact on the privacy levels of the surrounding area as it would be within a building, which previously operated as a retail unit, with no existing/proposed windows at the rear or side the building,” his report stated.

“The proposed use within this row of existing commercial uses would be an acceptable complementary use which would have no further detrimental impact on the amenity of the surrounding area.”

The proposal would see the retail unit become pub, with a new fire escape door installed at the rear, while it will also feature a bar seating area and nine customer parking spaces within the existing car park at the back of the building.

The applicants have suggested the pub will be open from 10am to midnight, seven days a week, but the prospect has been met resistance from locals.

Objectors say the development, which is in a built-up residential area, will affect property values and could lead to noise, violence, property damage, littering and antisocial behaviour.

They argue there is no need for another pub, given that there are others nearby at Dunearn Drive and Bennochy Road, and they fear the impact on parking.

But a report to councillors stressed these are not planning considerations.

“Should such issues arise they would be dealt with by other relevant authorities, ie the police, Fife Council’s environmental health public protection teams, Fife Council’s licensing board,” the report adds.

“The proposal would also have no significant further detrimental impact in terms of littering as the previous use of the proposal was a retail unit and it is considered that the proposed use as a public house would be no more onerous than this previous use with regard to littering and there are public bin facilities located approximately 30 metres to the west of the proposed development.

“Fife Council as planning authority also cannot control the behaviour of individuals with regard to littering and this issue, should it arise, could also be dealt with by services such as Fife Council’s environmental health public protection team.”

Should such issues arise they would be dealt with by other relevant authorities