A massive £180 million development which will transform the north of Kirkcaldy has been approved.
Almost 1,100 new homes, a primary school, supermarkets and a hotel will be created during the 15-year project, which will also pave the way for a new secondary school for Kirkcaldy east.
The road network will also be changed to cut bottlenecks, which could benefit the whole of central Fife.
Members of Fife Council’s Kirkcaldy area committee unanimously backed the application by Kingdom Park Ltd for the Kingslaw site.
It was the third time councillors had considered the ambitious plans similar in scale to the development in the north west of the town having twice continued them to discuss concerns about their impact.
The fact they were finally approved on Wednesday was hailed as fantastic news for Kirkcaldy amid hopes they would result in a ”vibrant hub” in the east of the town.
Local MSP David Torrance said it would kick-start much needed regeneration in the area.
”This is a great development for Kirkcaldy east,” he said. ”I just hope the infrastructure has been put in place to ensure there is no congestion in that area.
”It will be good news for the construction sector, will bring new jobs to the area and will transform the whole of Kirkcaldy east into a vibrant hub.”
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The application was approved on condition the developer contributes to the cost of a new high school to replace Viewforth.
In addition, two new access roads to the site must be created, along with a new roundabout at Gallatown, and Redhouse roundabout already the scene of congestion at peak times will be upgraded with traffic lights and a new slip road.
These changes could ultimately lead to a long talked about link road from the A92 dual carriageway to the Standing Stane road, which would benefit those travelling to Levenmouth and the east neuk.
Kingdom Park, owned by former Rangers chairman David Murray, first mooted its plans for Kingslaw in 2003. At the time, they were tied into a huge opencast coal development and did not include housing.
The latest proposal will be built in five phases between 2015 and 2027, and will also include a care home, shops and neighbourhood centres.
Kirkcaldy area committee chairman Neil Crooks said concerns about the affect it would have on the roads network had been allayed at the committee thanks to a detailed presentation by officers on traffic flow through the area.
”We are entrusted by the public to be assured that our decisions are as informed as they can be and engaging with elected members earlier in the process would have been beneficial,” he said.
”Traffic signalisation with pedestrian movements across some of the busiest junctions in Kirkcaldy area is something which required detailed consideration and after today the members were unanimous in their agreement for the plans.
”I very much look forward to this site being developed and we also have assurances that while the link to the Standing Stane road does not form part of this application Fife Council are building up funds to ensure this link will be completed as a matter of high priority as the development grows towards the north of the site.”