Another eyesore block of flats in Glenrothes will soon be torn down and replaced by affordable housing thanks to a green light from councillors.
Blocks in the Tanshall and Caskieberran areas have been earmarked for demolition as part of a regeneration programme in recent years, with a vacant block in Abbotsford Drive to become the latest to be reduced to rubble.
The five-storey block is in poor condition and attracts vandals, but Fife Council has been systematically trying to regenerate the area by demolishing the old and building more modern, lower density dwellings.
Kingdom Housing Association has been given planning permission to build 15 affordable houses on the site three two-storey terraced houses and 12 flats in two three-storey blocks.
An internal courtyard area with car parking and amenity space will also be provided by the housing association, and a new footpath link to the surrounding estate, play area and school will similarly be developed as part of the plans.
Consent was given by Glenrothes councillors last week, although local councillor Alf Patey expressed concerns about landscaping highlighting the fact youths had apparently damaged areas of landscaping at nearby Elgin Drive, an area which previously saw unsightly blocks torn down and replaced by similar housing.
“The landscaping at Elgin Drive has deteriorated drastically because we’ve had youngsters running through it,” he pointed out.
Councillor Bill Kay then argued that some sort of play area could perhaps therefore be developed as part of the project.
However, Councillor Peter Grant warned against putting more obstacles in the way of the developers and said he was just happy to see more affordable housing on the way.
“This development very nearly didn’t happen because of the recession and Kingdom Housing has had to go to a lot of effort to make it work,” he said. “If we start putting additional burdens on them, we might not get any new houses at all.”
Councillor Ross Vettraino also highlighted the issue of future maintenance, adding his hope that Kingdom will take responsibility for the public areas of open space.
The properties, a mix of two and three-bedroom homes, are deemed affordable housing by Kingdom Housing Association and it is hoped work can begin on site in the near future.