By Charlene Kelly

SAINSBURY’S PLANS to open a £35 million store in Glenrothes have taken a step forward with a planning application being submitted to Fife Council.

The chain announced the proposal in April and the just-submitted planning application follows a public exhibition held at Rothes Halls.

More than 600 jobs are expected to be created if the 65,000 sq ft store gets the go-ahead later this month.

The site, north of the Kingdom Centre, bordering Leslie Road and Kingdom Avenue, already has outline planning permission for a supermarket and is further supported by the existing local plan.

The company is working in partnership with Kingdom Centre owner CIS and also plans an adjacent non-food retail development of 60,000 sq ft divided into six individual units, the occupants of which have yet to be confirmed but are believed to be national chains.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said consultation findings that followed the public exhibition showed more than 90% of locals supported the proposals.

Paul Miller, Sainsbury’s development surveyor for Scotland, said the company was engaged in “positive dialogue” with the council and was keen to invest in Glenrothes.

“We look forward to working with the local community and Fife Council to realise our plans,” he added.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Sainsbury’s plans can phone a community helpline set up to provide information to residents and answer any queries that arise during the development.

Members of the public can call 0131 2262762, or write to Sainsbury’s Glenrothes c/o PPS Group, 10 Alva Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4QG.