A plan to give a former Fife textile factory a new lease of life has been dramatically shelved after a lack of progress in concluding a legal agreement.
Councillors on the Kirkcaldy area committee had given the go-ahead in principle for 55 flats at the Hawkleymuir linen works premises in Lawson Street in February last year, subject to a deal securing the provision of eight affordable units and a contribution of £42,000 towards education facilities in the area.
Around 19 months on, however, the same committee revisited the plans on Wednesday and decided to refuse the application after hearing there has been no movement on preparing the agreement due to a lack of response from the applicant the Hawkleymuir Partnership and their solicitor.
The rejection of the proposal represents a setback for the community, who have long wanted to see something done with the derelict building.
Historic Scotland and Kirkcaldy Civic Society have stated they would like to see the building, which dates back to 1853, converted to a new use rather than demolished, and that prompted the application from the Hawkleymuir Partnership. It would have seen the creation of 55 flats and the historic facade retained.
However, councillors heard an agreement on both the affordable housing element and the financial contribution seems further away than ever, forcing the committee to draw a line under the plans as they stand.
The option of making a cash payment in respect of the education payment, which was requested due to the impact the development could have on local schools, has also not been taken up by the applicant, councillors were told.
The committee members all agreed to reject the application given the time that has elapsed since conditional approval was given last year, but expressed their concerns about what will happen to the C-listed building.
Regular checks are having to be made on the 19th-century structure, which sits on the corner of Park Road and Lawson Street, after the roof partially collapsed last year.
”Nothing’s happening there and it looks dangerous so we need something done,” said local councillor Kay Carrington.
The building had been owned and used by Fife Council as a storage facility but was sold a number of years ago as it was deemed surplus to requirements.
It is understood the building was put up for sale for around £275,000 earlier this year, with the building’s particulars highlighting the fact that planning permission for flats had been granted in principle.
The most recent application followed a previous bid by developers to demolish the building entirely and create 47 flats in its place.
That was then changed to a plan for 54 flats and a retail unit, before the final revision to the application for 55 flats with the retail unit removed.
”Hawkleymuir is a significant example of the buildings associated with Kirkcaldy’s textile industry,” a spokesman for Historic Scotland said. ”Many have been demolished but others, most notably the West Bridge Mills, have been converted to new uses.
”We suggest Hawkleymuir should be converted to a new use rather than demolished.”