Developers are still committed to bringing a new supermarket and sporting facilities to Cowdenbeath, despite a last-minute hiccup.
A decision on Vico Properties’ plans had to be deferred by Cowdenbeath area committee as the council had not consulted sportscotland. By statute, the sporting body has to be consulted on any changes to facilities.
Vico wants to gain planning approval in principle to build a 30,000-square-foot supermarket on North End Park and a sporting hub at Gagarin Way and Hope Street in Lumphinnans.
The sports complex would compensate for the loss of pitches and leisure facilities on the site earmarked for the new store.
Both planning applications came before members of the area committee with a recommendation from council officials for conditional approval.
The committee was advised to approve the plans subject to a legal agreement which, among other measures, would ensure the Lumphinnans sports hub would be completed before the closure of sports facilities at North End Park.
However, a decision on proposals that Vico said would regenerate Cowdenbeath town centre, create over 200 job opportunities and provide new sports facilities in Lumphinnans was put off to allow the local authority further time to liaise with statutory consultee sportscotland.
Alistair Reid-Thomas, development director for Vico Properties plc, said, “Our plans for Cowdenbeath and Lumphinnans are deliverable and will bring a number of benefits to the local community.
“The decision to defer our application is due to a procedural error, and we anticipate that this matter will be clarified in the near future.
“We are committed to making this considerable investment in the local area and, in addition to providing improved supermarket shopping in Cowdenbeath, our plans will facilitate investment in Kingdom Brass and allow the existing businesses to relocate to empty units on Cowdenbeath High Street.”