Plans hatched for paper mill site

A Bellshill-based company has submitted plans for a regeneration of the historic Tullis Russell paper mill site in Fife, including the construction of hundreds of homes.

Advance Construction, which specialises in largescale groundworks and civil engineering, is also proposing retail and leisure facilities, business space, industrial units and a new care home on the 58-hectare site between Glenrothes and Markinch.

Tullis Russell went into administration in 2015, leading to hundreds of job losses.

Advance’s proposal of application notice to the local council also outlines plans for two public consultation events this month to give members of the public a first look at the plans.

Lynsey Breen, the company’s development manager, said the proposal would spark a regeneration of Glenrothes.

She said: “Advance Construction’s plans to deliver a significant number of new homes, together with creating new jobs will signal a major transformation of the area over the coming years.

“It’s an exciting regeneration project that will give Glenrothes the substantial economic boost it deserves, allowing it to continue to grow in the future.”

Lead consultancy Barton Willmore is set to work closely with Advance to provide town planning, masterplanning, landscape and socioeconomic assessment services during the project.

Planning director for Barton Willmore in Scotland, Colin Lavety, said: “The former Tullis Russell paper mill site is an important landmark historically for the town of Glenrothes.

“Plans to regenerate the area by delivering much-needed housing together with new jobs will be a major transformation of the community.”