AFTER almost three decades with only one superstore, Cowdenbeath could have three, if a new planning application is given the green light.

Aldi has lodged the application with Fife Council for a retail outlet on the site of the former police station in Stenhouse Street, which has been vacant for almost a year.

The police station moved to Brunton House two years ago and since then there has been a lot of speculation on what the site might house next.

There were concerns expressed by members of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee that it was important that the the right solution to the vacant site was found as it is a pivotal point in the town.

There has been speculation about Lidl and Aldi showing interest in coming to the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and some years ago Lidl expressed an interest in the green square site on High Street, but nothing came of it.

Now Aldi Stores Ltd, from Bathgate, have lodged a formal application for the former police station site which includes the erection of a retail food store (class 1) with ancillary works including car parking, access and landscaping.

The application will now go before the West Planning Committee within the next few weeks.

If given the green light the application would give Cowdenbeath three big stores. A superstore has been sited at the Raith Centre for almost 30 years but there has been no other.

However, Tesco unveiled their plans at the beginning of the year to set up at the Vico site at North End Park, and now with Aldi hoping to come to the town, shoppers may soon have plenty of choice.

It was a point considered by local councillor Jayne Baxter this week. She said, “I think it is good to have choice and offering these sort of options might just increase visitor numbers so I would say it is a good thing”.

Councillor Peter Lockhart also felt it would be a big plus, “I think Aldi would be an excellent addition to Cowdenbeath, they offer something different to the other supermarkets such as Morrisons and Tesco, and a bit extra competition would be of benefit to the town”.

This move could come at a perfect time as the Cowdenbeath Night and Day Challenge gathers pace to change the image of the town centre.