Plans have been lodged to turn an office above Dunfermline’s iconic music venue PJ Molloys into flats.
The entire second floor of the four-storey, C-listed building on Canmore Street – which dates from 1912 – could be transformed into two homes under the proposals.
It comes after the owner failed to find an occupant for the office, which has been empty for nearly a year and a half.
The ground floor and basement of the building are home to PJ Molloys, which regularly hosts gigs and club nights.
Site above PJ Molloys ‘problematic’ for use as office
A supporting statement submitted to the council by Gateside Design on behalf of applicant City Hotels Ltd said: “The premises were occupied by the applicants until early 2023 when it was decided that the space was far too large for the three employees based there.
“Graham + Sibbald started to market the premises in April 2023 but there has been little or no interest.
“Home working trends have had a severe effect on the marketability of this type of property and the seven flights of steps with no lift facility were problematic.”
The statement added: “Planning policy encourages the drive towards town centre living, even a small scale development such as this should be encouraged.”
The office has been marketed for lease for £11,000 per year.
Fife Council will make a decision on the plans in the coming weeks.
It comes as a husband and wife team are set to open a new branch of their estate agents in Dunfermline.
Meanwhile, there are concerns about the loss of 20 trees as part of plans to build a Lidl in the city.
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