A Kirkcaldy community leader has hailed councillors who went against planning advice to approve a new supermarket.
David Henderson, chairman of the Kirkcaldy West Community Council, said a new Lidl store at the west end of the Esplanade would regenerate a derelict site and be welcomed by residents.
Members of the region’s central area planning committee went against the recommendation of planning officials on Wednesday to approve the new supermarket, stating fears that failing to do so could leave the site, directly opposite rival Morrisons, potentially abandoned for the next two decades.
Welcoming the councillors’ decision, Mr Henderson said: “The committee’s decision was great.
“It means that the mess here can be cleared up and it will give the people of the area another supermarket to choose from.
“What will be needed now is more bus services to the site, because two express services an hour is not enough.
“There is also a need for another pedestrian bridge across the Tiel Burn.”
Mr Henderson was critical of planning officers who had advised councillors to reject Lidl’s plans, which will see the chain relocate several hundred yards from its current site on the Esplanade.
They claimed that the new store, coupled with Morrisons, would hinder plans to create an attractive entrance to the town.
“The report confused everyone,” he said. “Every time you expand a town you create a new gateway and the town is still expanding.”
Lidl has welcomed the decision of councillors in approving its plans, which it claims will create an additional 15 jobs.
A statement from the supermarket said that construction is estimated to start on site within six months with a view to opening the store in spring 2018.
Gordon Rafferty, Lidl UK’s head of property for Scotland, added: “We could not be more delighted to have received planning permission, and look forward to getting started on construction.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for their continued support, and very much look forward to opening our doors and offering our fresh, quality, great value products in the not too distant future.”
