Two eyesore car parks on Kirkaldy Esplanade are to be demolished, four months after they were advertised for sale by Fife Council.
The authority says the sale bid has had “zero success”.
According to a new report, it is not economically viable to bring the buildings up to a satisfactory condition.
And leaving them as they are risks further vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
Councillors backed plans to raze the Esplanade and Thistle Street car parks, near The Mercat, last year.
However, in February it emerged the 1.24-acre site had gone on the market.
The change of heart is revealed in a paper lodged with the council’s planning service.
It seeks to ascertain any environmental risks before a full planning application is lodged.
Demolition of Esplanade car parks ‘is required’
Thistle Street car park closed in 2022, and the Esplanade site is rarely used.
However, AHR Architects, acting on the council’s behalf, says a vast amount of work is needed to continue using the multi-storeys as car parks.
“With no credible opportunities to reuse the buildings in their current form, and no offers to purchase…the proposal to demolish both car park buildings is required,” they say.
This would clear the site for development.
The council’s preferred use for the waterfront land is retail and housing.
Both buildings, along with the old swimming pool demolition site next door, have long been considered blots on Kirkcaldy’s landscape.
And the council has come under fire for the length of time taken to make a decision on their future.
It’s more than two years since officers agreed to draw up a business case.
And a wider project to make the Esplanade more attractive has dragged on for nine years.
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