SAINSBURY’S could be open in West Fife by the end of the year after councillors approved the first phase of a multi-million pound development to transform the Camdean area of Rosyth.

Millionaire developer Keith Punler’s proposal to build 34 houses, four shops, an office and 28 flats, along with an associated road, 112 parking spaces and landscaping was given the green light at a recent Fife Council planning committee meeting.

It is the first stage of an ambitious masterplan which will include 390 homes - 98 of which will be affordable housing - a nursery, professional and financial services, food and drink outlets, a hotel and a nursing home at a 12-hectare plot west of Mr Punler’s former school, Camdean Primary.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s have been confirmed as the anchor tenant for the neighbourhood retail centre, although it will be a convenience-style model and not a superstore as had been initially hoped.

Mr Punler told the Press, “We are hoping to be on site within a matter of weeks and we expect to work to quite an aggressive pace to deliver the neighbourhood shopping centre and first phase of housing.

“Sainsbury’s are the anchor tenant for the retail centre and we can move forward now that planning permission has been granted.

“We want to deliver this as quickly as possible, so I expect it will be in place before the year’s end or very shortly after that.

“There is a lot of work to do, but it’s a good time of year to get on the site.” Mr Punler’s firm, Kapital Assets, now hope to submit further planning applications in the coming months for the next stages of their masterplan.

Discussions about who will fill the other units at the retail centre are ongoing and the developer is keen to speak to any local business owners that are considering a new base.

At the meeting where the first phase, called ‘Hilton Rosyth Phase 1b’ was approved, councillor Mike Shirkie said, “I’m happy this is going ahead, it’s something that has been in the offing for a number of years.

“The applicant has taken a considerable amount of time to hear local views and it was changed on a number of issues due to local input.” His colleague, Rosyth councillor Douglas Chapman was also pleased the development was approved and said “the care and attention the developer put in to try and recreate the concept of Rosyth as a garden city has to be welcomed”.

He added, “I have been supportive of the whole development since its inception. It will add a great deal to the entrance to Rosyth when you’re coming in from the west, giving a real sense you’re entering into a town.

“At the moment it’s not as attractive as it could be. The community have been involved the whole way through and to date, the vast majority have been in favour.

“I hope we can get on and turn it into a reality.”