The regeneration of Kirkcaldy’s former industrial heart has taken a significant step forward with the publication of a masterplan.
It is hoped the document will drive environmental improvements in an area renowned for having one of the highest concentrations of vacant and derelict land in Fife.
The vision for the future includes improved pedestrian and cycle routes, including a cycle path between Denfield Park and Victoria Hospital.
Covering the Victoria Road corridor, the plan was commissioned by Fife Council and produced by landscape architecture practice UrbanPioneers following consultation with the public.
It was a key recommendation of a charrette carried out in the area in 2014.
The masterplan broadly covers an area between Victoria Road in the south to Hayfield Road in the north.
Things are already beginning to turn around there and there have been significant improvements with the completion of 161 affordable houses in Overton Road and residential and commercial proposals coming forward for other major sites.
It has been recognised, however, that more must be done to transform the blackspot.
Councillor Neil Crooks, convener of Kirkcaldy area committee, said: “The Green Infrastructure Masterplan sets out an aspirational yet deliverable vision for a part of Kirkcaldy which has suffered badly over the decades due to de-industrialisation.
“This really is place-making in action and I commend the work of UrbanPioneers and the council officers involved.”
Project chiefs say among the challenges that remain is the fact that new housing so close to derelict areas impacts negatively on the lives of residents.
Planners know it can deter people from using existing recreational space and paths, some of which are now of poor quality and not overlooked which makes them feel unsafe.
Many of the links from the area to the coast have been broken thanks to development but some will be re-established in the masterplan, while an east to west corridor will be created to connect other networks.
