Detailed proposals for an “LGBT+ hub” for the Kingdom have been submitted to Fife Council.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender charity Pink Saltire is working on opening The Hive inside the former K2 Texkstyles store on Kirkcaldy’s Whytescauseway.

Acting first and foremost as the Scottish-wide organisation’s headquarters, The Hive will also be a community space, a recording studio, a shop and a “hot-desking” working area.

A planning statement submitted by the charity said: “From here, we will coordinate our key projects and community development work, including leading the fight for equality in Fife, the delivery of multi-media training, our recovery and resilience activity, as well as our capacity building support for LGBT+ groups around Scotland.”

Fife is bereft of LGBT-friendly services, according to the charity. A survey it conducted in 2019 found more than half of LGBT Fifers say services need to be more visible in their local area.

Pink Saltire says The Hive will become a “safe haven” for the gay community, with long-term ambitions including an LGBT archive and offices for let.

Pink Saltire has been working to improve representation for gay, bi and trans people in the Kingdom for several years. It co-founded the Fife Pride festival in 2017 and runs the Connexons social group in Cowdenbeath.

A decision on the proposals is expected sometime in mid-May.