A former Scottish Enterprise chief has hailed the decision of councillors to approve plans for a new supermarket in Kirkcaldy as a “major milestone” for the town.
Joe Noble, who was formerly chief executive of SE Fife, was speaking after Fife’s planning committee went against the recommendations of council officials by backing the proposed £25 million Morrisons store on the site of the former B&Q warehouse at Invertiel.
The development is expected to create 330 jobs and the store could be open as early as next year if it is eventually finalised.
Mr Noble who works as strategic development director of Macdonald Estates, which formed Invertiel Developments, the group behind the plans- now hopes the full Fife Council will rubber-stamp the proposal when it considers the application, most likely on June 30.
“This is very important for Kirkcaldy because what the planning committee have done, they have given an awful lot of families who are currently experiencing worklessness the opportunity to get jobs,” Mr Noble told The Courier.
“For the town itself it’s a tremendous vote of confidence and this is a clear indication that Fife wants business, Fife wants investment and Fife wants jobs.
“That message will not be lost on the full council. The councillors have been talking about physical regeneration and economic regeneration but these lead into social regeneration and the impact this will have on Linktown, Invertiel and beyond will be huge.
“This decision is a major milestone on the road to securing these benefits for these communities and that’s the most pleasing aspect.”
The backing of the planning committee came in spite of a recommendation to refuse the Morrisons plans, with council officers suggesting the development could impact upon the “viability and vitality” of the town centre.
There were also concerns over how it would affect the proposed expansion of the Mercat Shopping Centre.
However, councillors voted seven to three in favour of the blueprint and delighted members of the Kirkcaldy Needs Action Today (KNAT) group, who have campaigned for the new store.
After the full council next considers the application it will then have to notify ministers, who will have the final decision on whether or not to call in the plans.
But KNAT spokesman John Alexander said he hopes the plans will now be seen through.
“We support the Mercat and we want both to happen one will be the catalyst for the other but let’s face it, the Mercat will be a long time coming,” he added.