The resurrection of plans for a new Glenrothes retail park could be the “final nail in the coffin” for the town centre.
Councillor Ross Vettraino has warned that plans to open new retail units at the Queensgate, originally proposed back in 2007, would leave smaller retailers with no choice but to shut up shop.
He was addressing a meeting of the region’s central area planning committee after developers requested permission to alter trading conditions at the site.
Though much of the complex remains unbuilt, Mr Vettraino warned that further out of town development could kill off Glenrothes’ traditional shopping precinct.
“The report says that the development would have a ‘moderate’ 16% on the town centre,” he said.
“If I was a retailer then I would consider 16% to be fatal.
“Nobody could have seen the impact that the internet had on our high streets.
“I have to support the application, but I know it is the final nail in the coffin of Glenrothes town centre.”
Mr Vettraino’s concerns were echoed by fellow councillor Kay Morrison, who said that approving the plans made her “nervous” for the future of the existing town centre.
Both, however, agreed that little could be done to refuse the application on planning grounds.
The development at Queensgate was first proposed in 2007.
So far only the Asda supermarket has been constructed, while other non-food retail stores have yet to be built.
Councillors approved the request by developer Ediston Properties to alter the range of items that could be sold at the unconstructed outlets, prompting concern over the health of the town’s main shopping centre.
However, town councillor Altany Craik said: “The reason the units have not been developed is because there is no need for them.
“There is no real demand for extra retail space at the moment.”
Glenrothes’ retail landscape is in a state of flux, with another application to create a new retail and leisure park at North Street under consideration.
Meanwhile, the Isle of Man-based firm Episo Boxes GP has unveiled a masterplan that would demolish and regenerate a large part of the Saltire Centre, in the west of the town.
Home to retailers such Homebase, Matalan and Poundstretcher, a further nine units could be created if the redevelopment is approved, potentially creating hundreds of jobs.