PLANS to transform a shop which has been vacant for more than seven years have been submitted to a Scottish council.
The former Poundstretchers shop on Kirkcaldy’s High Street – which stretches all the way back to Thistle Street – was bought up by Raya Land Developments Ltd at auction for the possible development of flats.
However, the owners are currently asking for planning permission from Fife Council to subdivide the ground floor unit into a smaller retail unit to help ease their rates burden and install replacement windows and new entrance door and roller shutters with the intention of bringing it back into use.
Additionally, the ground floor, which has been extensively extended over the years, is considered one unit for business rates. It’s a big expense for anyone moving in, and building owners called it an “onerous burden”.
“At the moment, the rates burden in itself is restricting the ability to invest in the property to bring it back into use which is part of the reason the site has become and remained vacant/derelict for so long,” a planning statement said.
“It is hoped that approval of this submission will be a first step in ending the continued deterioration of this prime town centre site – which is the direction the property is currently heading.”
The Surrey-based development company was clear: The building in its current form is “not viable for use in whole”.
However, it is their goal to bring the whole building back into use at some point in the future – including the back of the building and the upper floors. Developers said this planning application to create a smaller retail unit is an “initial step” towards that goal.
“Approval of this [application] will not only bring life back into the High Street but also provide financial support to the owner, offsetting the remaining rates burden association with the remainder of the existing empty building, which will more ably facilitate the rest of the building being brought back into some use in the future,” the planning statement said.
“It has not yet been determined what the best use of this part of the building might be, but these discussions are underway.”
If the planning application is approved, a general making safe strip out will also be undertaken – its vandalised fabric removed, linings and partitions assessed and taken down as part of a general tidy out. There are no plans to change the ground floor from its use as retail.
Fife Council will consider the application and make a decision in due course.
