THERE are plans to demolish the Divito's ice cream and sweet shop in Crossgates to make way for 11 flats.

The Hogg Property Company have applied to Fife Council for permission to develop the site at 57-61 Main Street.

Thankfully for fans of the ice cream shop, which has been serving customers for decades, the plans include a new ground floor retail unit for the business.

If the company get the go-ahead, they're hoping to start work next year.

A statement on behalf of Bruce Hogg said: "The applicant intends to demolish the current premises on site to make way for a mixed-use development containing residential dwellings and a commercial unit.

"A total of 11 residential units are proposed to be located on site, each varying in approximate size in terms of square metres, though each dwelling will contain two bedrooms.

"Parking is proposed to be located on site and will comprise of 15 car parking spaces, including two for disabled users, and 26 cycle spaces are also to be incorporated on-site.

"Vehicular access is proposed to be maintained."

The site, on the corner of Hillview Crescent and Main Street, is just over 1,300 square metres in size and is presently occupied by predominantly two storey buildings with retail and business uses on the ground floor level and residential units above.

The statement added: "One unit is currently occupied and operates as Divito's Ice Cream. This operator will be retained as part of the new proposals.

The other unit has a Class 1 consent but has been vacant for three years."

At the rear of the site is a small-scale ice cream production facility for Divito's, there are also a number of single storey outbuildings on the plot and a three metres high wall.

A previous plan to develop the site, submitted by Bruce Hogg in June 2010, was eventually approved in 2016 after a legal agreement was reached with the council.

This permission has now lapsed.