One of Newburgh’s last three pubs is to enter a new phase as a convenience store.
The Ship Inn closed its doors in January and is soon to become the home of the town’s Cooperative.
Planning permission was granted for part of the building to be demolished and construction of a new retail unit with ATM and a flat above.
Closure of the High Street public house at the start of the year left Newburgh with just The Bear and the Abbey Inn.
The Co-op is to move from its existing premises further along the High Street.
Newburgh Community Council’s only concern was about congestion caused by delivery lorries and consent was agreed by Fife Council’s north east planning committee.
Member David MacDiarmid, councillor for the Howe of Fife and Tay Coast, said he was reluctant to press for refusal of consent but was worried that part of the building to be knocked down could be 300 years old.
Although the older street front building will remain largely intact parts of the rear extension to be demolished may contain elements of older commercial buildings known to have previously existed.
Mr MacDiarmid said: “We are bulldozing part of the character of the village.”
He pushed for the applicant to be asked to reconsider that part of the proposal but the committee decided to approve it as it was.
He said: “People can’t even install double glazing in parts of Newburgh conservation area yet we are allowing retailers to take down 300-year-old buildings.
“I think Newburgh is the most characteristic town in the whole of Fife.
“I don’t think this building needs to come down.”
There were also concerns from other objectors about the impact on the conservation area and on other traders and the potential for noise and disturbance until the shop closes at 11pm.
Applicant Malcolm McDonald, of St Andrews, said the comprehensive redevelopment would improve the appearance of the rear of the property and contribute positively to the conservation area.
His planning statement also said parking would be improved, with a wider entrance to make it more accessible and cause less congestion on the High Street.
Recommending approval, council planners said alterations to the building had been amended to improve its design and more off-street parking would be beneficial.
Although HGV kerb-side deliveries could be problematic, they concluded that on balance the continued commercial use of the premises was considered more important.
