Plans which will see a major pizza chain come to Kirkcaldy have been given the go-ahead, despite concerns about the potential for litter.
Papa John’s will take up one of three units currently being built in Nicol Street after Fife’s central area planning committee agreed to support a change of use application.
Consent had previously been granted for three retail units on the derelict site not far from the High Street but a change of use to a hot food takeaway for one unit was requested by the US-based pizza takeaway firm after it showed interest in coming to the Lang Toun.
Up to 20 jobs are expected to be created by the new outlet, which is likely to be owned and operated under a franchise agreement.
There was opposition to the move, however, with Kirkcaldy West Community Council and another third party formally objecting to the plans citing concerns about the potential detrimental impact the takeaway would have on the character of the area in relation to its use, noise and smells.
The community council also suggested litter could bring about an increase in the seagull population in the area and also give rise to vermin.
Despite those concerns, a motion by committee convenor Neil Crooks and Fife Council co-leader David Alexander to approve the application was passed.
“I’ve every sympathy with what has been said by the community council and if it transpires that things go wrong, there are still means in which we can deal with it,” Mr Crooks noted.
“But this area has been an eyesore in Kirkcaldy for many, many years.”
Mr Alexander added: “If we try to knock this back in terms of litter, we’re going to lose on appeal.”
Burntisland, Kinghorn and Western Kirkcaldy Labour councillor Gordon Langlands had moved refusal, citing his concerns about litter and the impact on residential amenity in the area.
“I can imagine a lot of the kids coming from the school and I see this as a litter trap,” he commented.
“I have grave concerns about that.”
His concerns were echoed by Kirkcaldy East Labour councillor Ian Cameron, who noted the proposed closing time of midnight was later than other Papa John’s restaurants elsewhere.
However, Mr Langlands’ formal motion against the plans failed to find a seconder.
Councillors were assured members of Fife Council’s public and environmental protection team had assessed the application and were satisfied that the proposal would not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties.
It also raised no objection to the proposed hours of operation, which will be 11am to midnight Monday to Sunday.
