Up to sixty new jobs could be created in Glenrothes town centre if plans for two new drive-through businesses are given the go ahead.
Coffee chain Starbucks is in talks to move into one of the proposed units between North Street and Leslie Road. A similar coffee shop/restaurant is planned for the other.
Planning permission for development at the edge of the defined town centre, along with associated access, car parking, landscaping and ancillary works, was granted previously, but a separate application is needed as the design of the proposed Starbucks is different to what was approved in April this year.
A spokesperson for consultants Ryden, acting on behalf of the developers, said: “As a town centre location there is an expectation that evening activity can be carried out without affecting the amenity of surrounding uses.
“There are no immediate residential neighbours to this site and therefore will be no immediate impacts on amenity by virtue of activity, noise, air quality or nuisance.”
The firm said the use was appropriate within a town centre and the proposal provided an opportunity for drive through elements that cannot normally be accommodated in traditional high street locations.
“The national operators will also be a core attraction to the town centre and encourage linked trips sustaining activity at different times including into the evening,” said thre spokesperson.
“Management and operation of the site would include litter picking patrols and regular maintenance of landscaped areas.”
The development is next to the town’s YMCA/YWCA building. It will result in a net loss of 55 car parking spaces to the town centre as a whole. However, Fife Council planners say there will still be 1,393 spaces elsewhere.
