Controversial plans for a new £6 million Dunfermline Home Bargains store have been recommended for approval by council officials.
Owner TJ Morris was forced to return with fresh plans for the shop on Dunlin Drive last year after its first proposals were rejected.
Now, the council’s planning department is recommending councillors should give the development the green light.
The final decision will lie with elected members when they discuss the plans next week.
Controversial Dunfermline Home Bargains store recommended for approval
The initial plans were rejected by councillors in 2022, with that decision upheld by the Scottish Government on appeal.
At that time, the proposals were recommended for refusal by council planning officials due to concerns over the impact on the surrounding residential area.
A fresh application was submitted by TJ Morris last year, and several changes to the proposed new store have been made.
This includes reducing the building’s height and footprint, and changes to pedestrian access and existing roads.
The design would also allow the larger retail unit to be divided into smaller neighbourhood units if Home Bargains decided to vacate the site.
The latest plans have received 46 letters of objection, down from 173 submitted against the previous proposal.
The objections raise concerns around traffic and road safety, the loss of green space and litter.
However, 152 letters of support have also been submitted, highlighting that the development would create jobs and improve the visual quality of the vacant site.
Fife Council planning officer Sarah Hyndman is recommending councillors approve the plans at next week’s West and Central Planning Committee meeting, as long as several conditions are imposed.
Councillors are not required to follow the officer’s recommendations and will vote individually on the proposals.
A spokesperson from TJ Morris said: “Following constructive dialogue with the Fife Council Planning Department, we welcome the officer’s recommendation to approve our application for a new Home Bargains store in Dunfermline.
“We were encouraged by the positive feedback during the pre-application consultation and are delighted that it has resulted in overwhelming support for the application, with 151 formal representations – approximately 77% of all comments – confirming their support for the project.
“The development is set to bring a significant £6 million investment to the area, create over 50 new jobs, and deliver much-needed retail amenities that we’re confident will benefit the local community.”
Conversation