The application seeks permission to demolish 236 properties, mainly common access flats, and replace them with 189 new energy efficient homes.

The new homes will be a mixture of cottage flats, family houses and single storey cottages for households with particular needs.

In addition the proposals include three retail units, a village green, play park and associated infrastructure to service the development.

The proposal plans to incorporate two areas of low quality, external space adjacent to Fraser Avenue. These areas, when redeveloped, can improve links with the surrounding community and can provide land for an additional 35 units that will help the regeneration project provide extra affordable houses to meet a wider range of housing needs in Inverkeithing.

The planning application has been submitted following a series of community consultation events. Events were held in December 2014, February 2015 and two events in March 2015. During the statutory consultation period a series of events were held in September 2015. Newsletters have been issued to over 1000 local residents and organisations.

The comments received during the consultation process have been incorporated into the planning submission where feasible and appropriate to do so, including the following:

Cllr Judy Hamilton, executive spokesperson for housing and building services, said: “I am delighted to have reached this stage in the project. I know that a lot of work has gone into the production of the planning application and would like to thank all of those involved in particular members of the local community who have come forward in numbers to give their view on what they want for the development. There is still a long way to go and a lot of work to be done on this project and I look forward to the site start next year.”

Bill Banks, chief executive with Kingdom Housing Association, said: “lodging this application is a major milestone event and is the result of impressive work by all partners and the community to reach this stage. The proposals reflect the views expressed as part of the various consultation events and demonstrates what can be achieved. This is a project that will take time to complete, and this application demonstrates that excellent progress has been made so far.”

The next target for the Regeneration Project Team is submission of the second planning application for the first 53 homes. This is expected in early 2016.

Work is ongoing on other critical activity for the regeneration.

Fife Council is currently moving residents on the Avenue to free up the blocks for demolition. Residents will either be moved to new permanent accommodation outwith Fraser Avenue or temporary decant accommodation on the Avenue depending on their preference. Kingdom Housing Association is liaising with the tenants who want to stay regarding their future housing needs.

It is hoped the preparations for the first phase of demolition will take place early in 2016 with the on-site demolition work progressing over the summer. Construction work on the new houses is expected to start towards the end of 2016.

The overall project is to complete in 2021 at a cost of around £26 million. The project will be financed through the Scottish Government, Fife Council and Kingdom Housing Association amongst other funders.

Some of the documents submitted in the planning application are available to view on the dedicated Fraser Avenue area of the Kingdom Housing Association website.

The document will also be available to view shortly via the Fife Council Planning Portal (reference 15/03844/PPP).

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