OLD mine workings look to have sunk plans to replace the Hideaway restaurant in Dunfermline with eight houses.

Last November, the diner's owners, Ian and Sheila Wotherspoon, received planning permission in principle from Fife Council to knock it down and build homes on the site, off Kingseat Road.

However, a new application has been submitted by Gordon and Suzanne Bailie, of Fulmar Drive, that would save the building, formerly the Halbeath Miners' Welfare Institute, and convert it into a single dwelling instead.

A planning statement on their behalf explained: "Whilst the application (for the eight homes) was successful, the economical viability of developing the site is impaired due to the potential costs of dealing with the historical mine workings.

"Furthermore, the COVID-19 outbreak has put further significant pressure on the viability of a restaurant on this site.

"Therefore, the proposal is simply to convert the existing property into a dwelling."

It added: "It is noted that there are historical mine workings nearby and we understand that various mine shafts exist within close proximity to the site.

"A coal-mining risk assessment report was provided with (the previous) application but as there is no new building work being proposed here we would expect this to be irrelevant."

Mr and Mrs Wotherspoon have now retired and the restaurant, which was trading as The Pantry & Kitchen at the Hideaway, closed in September.