The first step towards a new secondary school for Kirkcaldy will be taken this summer.
Land stabilisation works will be carried out on the site earmarked for the new Viewforth High in the east of the town in an operation expected to take six months.
Fife Council is expected to submit a planning application for the much-needed school on Windmill Road playing fields once the work is complete.
Investigations have found the land to be at high risk of stabilisation problems because of coal mining in the area.
Council officers said historic mines meant there was potential for the stability of the ground below the application site to be compromised. Remedial action will have to be taken before an application for the school is submitted.
The local authority’s executive committee gave the go-ahead in December for a new school in one of Fife’s most deprived areas but detailed plans have yet to be drawn up. The building could include the integration of a new Rosslyn School for children with complex needs, a library, local office and sports facilities.
The move has been hailed as a massive boost for Kirkcaldy.
Planning permission for the stabilisation works has now been granted by the Central Fife Planning Committee. It will involve in-filling the subterranean voids created by the mining by injecting them with a cement-based compound through pre-drilled holes.
Planner James Wright said the works would mean the temporary closure of the open space to the public.
Amateur football teams who use the playing fields are in talks with council officers about finding alternative accommodation in the area.
Mr Wright said policy dictated open space should be protected but added: “It is considered the temporary loss of playing fields and open space is acceptable in this instance, given the loss is temporary.”
Approval of the application was welcomed by Kirkcaldy councillor Neil Crooks, who said it would pave the way for the new high school.
“A new Viewforth is much needed and would really boost the area,” he said.
“What’s proposed is only a 600-pupil school which is quite small but there will be room for expansion if that’s needed.
“The plan is also to incorporate Rosslyn School, which does excellent work with children and young adults.
“It’s not just about the school, though, as this will also provide new and upgraded sporting facilities for the east of the town.”