By Aileen Robertson

THE LICENSED Trade Association is considering taking last-minute action to object to a pub in Dunfermline.

Belhaven Brewery plans to build a pub in the former Rejects store in Bridge Street. However John Barclay from the association said there are too many pubs in the town.

Earlier this year, a previous application from JD Wetherspoon to create a 400-capacity pub at the premises fell through, to the relief of licensees who were worried their businesses would suffer.

Now Belhaven is hoping to invest £1.5 million in the site.

The brewer wants to move into the ground floor of the building and a separate developer is seeking permission to turn the upper floors into flats. The new pub would be considerably smaller than the Wetherspoon’s proposal.

However Mr Barclay said the pub would still take business from smaller pubs in the area.

Despite the fact the matter is to be considered by west area development committee tomorrow Mr Barclay believes there is still time to take last-minute action against the application.

“We think there are enough pubs in Dunfermline, but obviously the council does not. We’ll probably all get together again and put an objection in,” he said.

Les White, manager of the Commercial Inn, suspected the plans had been “kept quiet” to avoid too many objectors.

However he admitted the fact the pub would be on one level made it a better prospect than a 400-capacity Wetherspoon. “It would lessen the blow greatly if it was on just one floor.”

Fife Council has received five letters of objection from residents and neighbouring gift shop Pink String and Sealing Wax.

Graham Henderson from the gift shop raised concerns about lack of a designated fire exit and the fact that the back door was regularly blocked by vehicles.

Eamonn Ilett, who stays in the street, said the pub would cause increased noise, drunkenness at the gates to Pittencrieff Park, threats from “aggressive drunks” and loss of privacy.

Mr Ilett said, “Also, with the increase in problem drinking in general and the number of new premises already opening, another pub is not required and this pub would spoil the character of this historic part of the city.”

In support of the application, Belhaven Brewery said the pub would have a “regenerative impact” on the town centre.

Its letter to Fife Council stated, “Non-retail use of the premises will not adversely affect the area, as there is a limited retail function beyond the site travelling from Bridge Street to Chalmers Street.

“We do not subscribe to drinks discounting, as some of the high street multiples, and we welcome any charter that the local licensing board considers to deter discount drinking.

“We also have a strict policy on binge drinking. Customers are not encouraged to drink to excess in any of our establishments.”