By Charlene Kelly

LOCALS ARE objecting to plans to turn Kirkcaldy’s derelict cinema into an over-25s’ entertainment venue.

Principal planning officer David Wardrop yesterday confirmed that more than 20 complaints have been received, as well as a petition objecting to the proposals by The Commercial Pub Company of Broughty Ferry.

Owner Jimmy Marr was granted a provisional entertainment licence by the central Fife divisional licensing adjourned board in February.

At the time Mr Marr—who is also chairman of Dundee Football Club—said he wanted to transform the 96-year-old picture house into a nightclub featuring discos, bars, a restaurant and live bands.

Now he has to receive planning consent before he can put his plans into action—a process which could be lengthy.

Mr Wardrop said, “The application raises a number of issues which will have to be addressed before it can progress, including the requirement for listed building consent and noise-limitation measures.

“We’ve already received a number of objections, the majority of which come from residents living in the immediate vicinity of the former cinema, and each one will have to be looked at carefully.

“It is a complicated process but we hope a decision will be made by early next year.

Mr Marr has enlisting the services of Broughty Ferry-based architect Nicol Russell.

Early plans suggested Mr Marr wanted to open a discotheque similar to Dundee’s 900-capacity Deja Vu, which he also owns.

However, Mr Wardrop said the new plans drawn up by Mr Russell resemble the creation of a venue more akin to the Carling Academy in Glasgow.

Tom Johnston, the agent acting on behalf of Mr Marr, said that although his client had ideas in mind to develop the premises the planning application is still at a very early stage.

He added, “I expect there will be a number of changes to his earlier plans, but those will all be brought to light at the next licensing board meeting.

“Mr Marr has experience of running more than 30 pubs and clubs in Tayside and Fife so he knows what he is doing.”

Although the application, if granted, would excite a lot of local clubbers, nearby residents say they are less than impressed at the prospect.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said, “No one wants to live above a nightclub.

“We have enough pubs and noise already in our area, and if this application is granted my property will be devalued.”

Mr Marr plans to tackle the problem of noise by bringing in sound engineers and noise-reducing equipment.

He also wants to install security doors and CCTV inside and outside the premises and meet nearby residents in a bid to dispel their fears.

The 21,000 sq ft building in High Street stopped operating in December 2001.

The final curtain came down after locals deserted it in favour of the new multiplex at Dunfermline.