Plans to convert former toilets in Cellardyke into a house have been approved by Fife councillors.
The toilet block near the junction of James Street and Burnside Terrace will be transformed into a two-bedroom property according to the plans submitted by Glasgow-based applicant Stuart Ramsay.
The move comes despite objections from the Royal Burgh of Kilrenny, Anstruther and District Community Council and a neighbour on parking and privacy grounds.
Council officials recommended to members of the north east Fife area committee that consent should be given, saying the proposal enhances the character of Cellardyke’s conservation area.
However, there are people in the village who reckon it will have a negative impact. One of the objectors had concerns about privacy issues relating to the neighbouring house, particularly about the proposed kitchen and bathroom window overlooking a neighbouring bedroom window.
Conditions have been added to planning permission in an attempt to alleviate concerns.
Fife Council’s transport services department said it had no concerns about parking as there is no off-street parking for the existing property.
Case planner Julia Gray told committee members that the building was likely to remain vacant if planning consent was withheld.
She added: ”The proposal is compatible with its surrounds in terms of land use, is considered acceptable in terms of scale and design and would not cause any unacceptable detrimental residential amenity impacts on surrounding residential properties.
”The proposed conversion of the public toilet to a dwellinghouse would both protect and enhance the character of the conservation area by providing a sympathetic new use for an existing vacant property.”
The development was also given the go-ahead in spite of planning guidelines that advise all new detached and semi-detached houses should be served by a minimum of 100 square metres of private useable garden space.
Council planners felt the guidelines on the need for garden space could be set aside in this instance, as there is a public park at Backdykes less than 100 metres from the proposed conversion.