March 26 2021

Fife Council has launched a Glenrothes masterplan mapping out how the town centre should evolve in the decade to 2030 and beyond.

Drawn up by Halliday Fraser Munro and Aecom the document identifies nine potential development opportunities to enhance the attractiveness and commercial opportunities around the Kingdom Shopping Centre.

Addressing a variety of negative trends including a loss of retail and a halving of office floorspace since 2000 the proposals will seek to replace 'bland and uninspiring architecture' with new, reduce the dominance of car parks and introduce more green space.

To achieve this it is proposed to introduce residential development and capitalise on the nearby Tullis Russell housing scheme while retaining the unique legacy of public art bequeathed to the town and introducing new opportunities outwith the mall.

Addressing issues related to inconsistent and poor architecture it is also intended to raise the bar with high-quality 'landmark' infill buildings to help establish a sense of civic pride, supported by a pedestrian network connecting to Riverside Park and the Pilgrim Way Route.

Gordon Mole, head of business and employability at Fife Council, said: “The Covid-19 crisis will result in future shifts in demand for land and buildings, also changes in the way we work, travel and socialise will accelerate the changes proposed in the Town Centre Master Plan. The plan gives us a framework to focus on creating environmental improvements and exemplifies the best of emerging 21st-century town centre practice.”

Recommended steps:

1. Former Police Station (demolished) - A cluster of five apartment blocks in landscaped grounds
2. Kingdom House (demolished) - new commercial office space
3. Rothesay Place - apartments with ground-floor retail
4. Riverside Park - A new gateway entrance
5. YMCA car park - possible commercial opportunity
6. Glenrothes House (demolished) - New work units and leisure uses
7. Kino Cinema - Major public realm upgrade
8. Marchmont Gate - A mix of modernisation and new build to improve the setting of Central Avenue
9. Albany Gate - Mixed retail/apartments

An online presence for the plan is currently being prepared by Fife Council. 

3 Comments

#1 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 26 Mar 2021 at 13:47 PM

I'd demolish everything ; put community facilities and parking underground and cover it over with an undulating central park

#2 Posted by Mike on 27 Mar 2021 at 08:34 AM

#1 what because Glenrothes needs another large park...?

#3 Posted by Henry Ford on 27 Mar 2021 at 09:41 AM

#2 maybe cars hurts his eyes!

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