Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 4:00pm

concerns over parking pressures

by Jim Stark

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CONCERNS over the effects a supermarket in central Lochgelly could have on parking provision in the town were raised by councillors at Cowdenbeath Area Committee.

Omnivale Ltd, asked Fife Council for outline permission to build a class 1 retail unit on land to the south of Hall Street.

But the Area Committee was told last Wednesday by several councillors that the town's already fragile parking provision could be put under great pressure by the store plan.

Planner Monica Kellock told the committee in a report that the application site fronted Hall Street and was bounded by the public park to the east and the High Street on the west.

The site was currently occupied by Fabtec as an industrial use and was made up of a number industrial buildings.

She added, "Planning permission in principle is sought for for the erection of a retail unit in a new building which is proposed 2500 metres square.

"The application is to establish the principle only and does not contain details of the scheme in terms of the location of the building nor the details of access and parking."

The planner assured that no part of the Lochgelly Public Park would be used as part of the development and the park would not be compromised.

In her conclusion she said, "The proposal is considered acceptable in meeting the terms of the Cowdenbeath Area Finalised Local Plan and the draft Mid Fife Local Plan and is considered compatibale with its surrounds in terms of land uses and would not reduce amenity on surrounding residential properties.

"The proposal is considered to be a positive redevelopment of this brownfield site within Lochgelly Town Centre."

The committee was told that 33 objections to the proposal had been lodged and Councillor Mark Hood said, "I must say that I have significant concerns about this application.

"Certainly we need something in Lochgelly to stop the leakage of people doing their shopping outwith the town but the traffic problems this could cause are a real worry for me.

"The access to the site will be off a T junction and that is not good and there would appear to be a low number of parking places planned which could cause considerable pressure on off-street parking."

Councillor Ian Chisholm added, "This development could have a serious impact on the parking provision in central Lochgelly which is already under considerable pressure.

"I just do not think this is the right way of tackling the need for a supermarket in the town and I move that we reject the principle now." He was seconded by Councillor Ann Bain.

Councillor Alex Rowley moved that a decision be deferred pending a site visit. He said, "I would urge caution here.

"We must closely examine the proposal and the effects it could have on the area's second largest town and I feel this can only be done through a visit to the proposed site."

Councillor Hood seconded and the ammendment was carried on a 7-2 vote.

In the public gallery for the meeting were representatives of Lochgelly Community Council which formally objected to the plan.