An important part of Kirkcaldy’s history could soon be reduced to rubble under radical new plans to rejuvenate the area.
Built in 1882, Nairn’s Linoleum Works in Victoria Road/Nairn Street is thought to be one of the world’s oldest lino factories but has fallen into disrepair since production moved to Den Road in the 1980s.
Repeated efforts to market the site have failed, prompting owners Scottish Enterprise to conclude the famous building should be brought down after lying empty for more than 25 years.
Proposals to demolish the A-listed Nairn’s South Factory have now been lodged with Fife Council, with agents acting for Scottish Enterprise suggesting retention of the building is no longer tenable.
However, history preservation groups are expected to oppose the plans on the grounds the factory is a key relic from Kirkcaldy’s linoleum-making heyday and should be restored.
A report has concluded the existing buildings are not technically incapable of repair, but argues the ”excessive associated costs will render their repair and restoration unviable.”
It states: ”The loss of the listed building will be regrettable. However, its restoration is not economically viable and is actively preventing the regeneration of the overall site.
”The loss will be mitigated by the substantial benefits that will be derived from the regeneration of the site and the wider local area.”
The report goes on to suggest work to make the building wind and watertight would cost £1m, while a full internal refurbishment would cost £2.35m. Minimum expenditure needed to carry out emergency repairs would also cost the public purse more than £600,000, according to estimates.
Scottish ministers’ policy states no listed building should be demolished unless it can be clearly demonstrated that every effort has been made to retain it. Scottish Enterprise believes the fact the site has not been sold despite being extensively marketed for over 21 years either due to commercial viability or lack of public funds means it should now go.
Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance welcomed the demolition case being brought forward, describing the money being spent each year on the building’s upkeep as a ”complete waste”.
”I’ve had so many constituents complain about that side of Victoria Road and it’s costing taxpayers a fortune to keep that scaffolding up, so this is a great opportunity,” he said.
”I’m quite glad to see this application come forward, and the removal of that building will make that site far more attractive for developers.
”Victoria Road has been an area of dereliction on the left-hand side for too long and the demolition of this building will release its potential. It could be housing or shops all I’m interested in is seeing the burden of a building which is no good to anybody removed.”
At its peak, the Kirkcaldy linoleum industry sustained six factories in the town but most of those closed. Forbo Nairn still operate in the town.
The listed buildings at the Nairn’s South Factory site have lain vacant from 1985, although they have been the subject of numerous applications ever since.
In the mid-1990s plans for a supermarket and housing were mooted then ditched. Apparent interest in turning the site into a leisure attraction was not followed up.
Plans to turn the site into a museum and business centre surfaced in 2004 but were withdrawn, while proposals to transform the factory into a £7.5m library, museum and archive centre fell through due to a lack of funding.
The site was similarly considered for a new swimming pool but discounted.
Even a campaign through the BBC TV programme Restoration by Michael Portillo, whose grandfather lived and worked in Kirkcaldy, ultimately proved unsuccessful.Recommended link: Scottish Screen Archive Made in Kirkcaldy