Plans to build a supermarket and sporting hub in west Fife that could create around 250 jobs have been submitted to Fife Council.
Vico Properties PLC proposes to build a 30,000-square-foot supermarket at North End Park in Cowdenbeath, and a sporting facility at Gagarin Way and Hope Street in Lumphinnans.
The developers have already held a public exhibition of the plans in Lumphinnans Bowling Club and Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre.
Vico claims the plans could provide around 250 jobs and regenerate Cowdenbeath town centre.
A statement from the company says, “The applications are linked and require to be decided together.
“This is due to the fact that the first application at North End Park, Cowdenbeath, is for a class 1 retail store with car parking and ancillary access and works which is on a site predominantly in existing use for sports and recreational purposes.
“The application for replacement sports and recreational facilities at Gagarin Way, Lumphinnans, is a proposal which will compensate for the loss of the recreational facility at North End Park and will create an enhanced hub of sports and recreational facilities which will serve the wider communities…”
It continues, “The reason why Cowdenbeath has been targeted is as a result of the lack of large-scale investment in retail provision in the town for some time.
“In addition it has been notable that the larger towns in Fife such as Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and Glenrothes have all experienced improvements in food shopping facilities which make them attractive shopping destinations for residents throughout Fife.
“In respect of Cowdenbeath, Vico is aware Fife Council has undertaken various retail capacity studies over the years to ascertain shopping habits and to provide an input into a policy response to retailing throughout the council area.
“Vico has discussed sports provision options with Fife Council officers, representatives of the football clubs in the area and in particular Cowdenbeath AFC.
“From the outset there was widespread support for the proposed new retail store in addition to support for investment in new sports facilities.
“It also became evident from the outset that Fife Council was supportive of the creation of new ‘sports hubs’.”
It is understood the plans at Lumphinnans will include a football hub with changing rooms, club room and community facilities as well as new full-size and development football pitches.