A historic Kirkcaldy building is set to defy the wrecking ball as councillors prepare to vote on its future.
Proposals to demolish Victoria Power Station will be discussed by members of Fife Council’s central area planning committee after plans were put forward to build a care home on the site.
The iconic building, which has been in disrepair for a number of years now, is one of Kirkcaldy’s oldest buildings having been constructed in 1901.
However, councillors have been advised to refuse permission for the demolition to take place, despite the building’s current condition.
Fife Council planner David Shankland said maintaining the building’s facade was essential.
“The principle of development is not considered acceptable as the applicant has failed to provide adequate justification for the demolition of the listed building and has failed to demonstrate that every effort has been made to retain, at a minimum, the main faade” he said.
“The proposal would result in the loss of a traditional Category B-listed building and replace it with a modern suburban building which fails to reflect the traditional form and character of the original listed building, which would not result in any visual or environmental benefit to the site or indeed maintain or enhance the existing built form of the surrounding area.”
The B-listed building was designed for Kirkcaldy Corporation Tramways by local architect William Williamson.
Opened in 1903, the facade on to Victoria Road was detailed in an Edwardian Baroque-style, commonplace on high-profile industrial buildings at that time.
Such examples are now rare within Kirkcaldy and its preservation has been deemed paramount, despite the poor state of the rest of the structure.
The cost of bringing the building up to current standards is believed to stand at about £3 million, despite the value of any refurbished property said to be worth in the region of £350,000.
Councillors have been advised to refuse permission to demolish the former power station and are being recommended to refuse proposals to build a care home on the site despite nine representations supporting the plans.
Kirkcaldy Civic Society chairwoman Mary Hall said while it was sad to see the building in its current state, finding a use for it was incredibly difficult.
“There are so many old buildings along Victoria Road that are in poor condition, but people just cannot find a use for them,” she said.
“That’s why the Nairns factory was demolished. If somebody could find a use for the power station then it would be a beautiful building.
“I wouldn’t like to see it demolished but I just don’t know what it could be used for.”