850-home Glenrothes scheme goes for planning

Plans to build a major new housing development on the site of an old paper mill near Glenrothes have been submitted to Fife Council.

Designed by Barton Willmore the residential-led mixed use masterplan includes up to 850 new homes, 85 of which will be affordable.

The project is forecast to give Glenrothes a £42.5m boost, creating up to 450 jobs and employment for around 300 construction workers during the 10-year build programme.

Alongside housing the 52-hectare site aims to offer retail and leisure facilities, business space, industrial units, a care home and an extension to the nearby Riverside Park, which will connect the new development to Glenrothes town centre.

Colin Lavety, planning director for Barton Willmore in Scotland, said the plans would regenerate a high profile site left vacant since the former Tullis Russell Paper Mill site was closed.

“Our focus has been to deliver alternative but complementary uses to the existing town centre, alongside a mix of high-quality homes which are within easy walking distance of schools, jobs, shops, leisure facilities, parkland and public transport,” he added.