COWDENBEATH is set to welcome a 'new dining experience' as restaurant plans recently received the green light.
Fife Council has approved an application to change the use of the former Greggs branch on High Street into a restaurant.
The vacant property will be given a new lease of life and the applicant, Sava Estates, believes it will "bring people into the area".
It is anticipated that opening hours will be Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 11pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am to Midnight.
A statement provided by Bennett Development and Consulting, on the firm's behalf, said: "The proposed new restaurant will see a new dining experience introduced into the area and a vacant unit re-cycled which otherwise may have remained vacant for some time and become a disamenity in the streetscape.
"It will complement other venues in the area and the new use will bring people into the area and animate the streetscape particularly in the evenings and in the winter months when the splay of light from the windows will illuminate the footpath contributing to the sense of safety and security so essential if the night time economy is to prosper.
"The ability to attract people and to encourage evening activities is fundamental to fostering a sense of vitality and vibrancy and creating a general feeling of well-being so important in ensuring that the town prospers and offers resident and visitor alike, a positive experience."
The property at 321 High Street is a single-storey building, with a large extension to the rear, where there is a small yard.
Access will continue to be via the existing doorway and will open up into the main restaurant.
"On the right-hand side halfway down the floor will be a bar/servery where customers waiting to be seated can sit and enjoy a drink and customers availing themselves of the limited takeaway service on offer, can also wait and be seated," the application says.
"Beyond the bar/servery will be the kitchen and food preparation areas and beyond that will be storage, customer toilet, accessible toilet and cleaner store.
"Immediately outside adjacent to the rear door will be a waste and recycling facility, which is accessed via the rear lane from where uplift is carried out.
"Externally, the only change will be the introduction of an extraction flue which will vent the kitchen and pass vertically up through the roof and emerge on the rearward facing pitch on the roof. It will not be possible to see it from the High Street as it will be below the ridgeline of the roof.
"The extraction system will be constructed to industry standard and be attached to the building with vibration proof fixings which will eliminate any noises from vibrations and will at the same time protect the fabric of the building."
Fife Council has granted the proposal with noise compliance conditions both during the day and at night.
Outlining the reasons for giving the green light to the plan, the local authority stated: "Subject to a standard type condition in respect of noise from the extraction system, the development accords with the relevant provisions of policy and guidance, being those in relation to the principle of development, transportation infrastructure, residential amenity and design/visual impact.
"Overall, and again subject to the aforementioned condition, it is considered that the development accords with the development plan and that there are no relevant material considerations of sufficient weight to justify departing therefrom."
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