CUT-PRICE supermarket chain Lidl could be moving into Rosyth after plans to create a store in the town were lodged with Fife Council.

The food retailer want to demolish the derelict Yard pub on Admiralty Road – as well as building on Rosyth Juniors’ Recreation Park ground, located just behind – for the project, which would create up to 40 full-time and part-time jobs.

If the plans are given the go-ahead, it means that the junior football club will be leaving their home since 1992 and are likely to move to the Fleet Grounds as part of a sports hub being created at the site.

Last August, the Press reported that the council had sanctioned the sale of part of the club’s pitch for a supermarket development.

A report to their executive committee explained: “The council has received an offer to purchase part of Recreation Park, Rosyth, from a developer seeking to construct a supermarket with ancillary car-parking on part of the existing football pitch and on the adjacent privately-owned site, formerly The Yard public house.

“As only part of the council-owned pitch is required for the retail scheme, the balance of the site offers potential for development of housing, subject to receipt of the necessary statutory consents.”

Speculation that the identity of the retailer was Lidl began to grow earlier this year and, at the time, a spokesperson for the company stated that Rosyth “remains a town of interest for us”.

That has now been confirmed with the submission of a planning application for a store that would add to their existing 670.

Gordon Rafferty, Lidl UK’s head of property for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to announce that we have submitted a planning application with Fife Council. If granted this would mark a multi-million pound investment in the area, and the creation of new jobs when the store opens. We look forward to receiving a decision in due course.”

In a planning statement, developers Mactaggart & Mickel Ltd said: “A full retail impact assessment has been undertaken of the Lidl foodstore proposed to be located within the redevelopment of the former The Yard public house at Admiralty Road, Rosyth.

“The catchment area for the proposed store would comprise Rosyth, Inverkeithing and North Queensferry. This catchment reflects both the limited distance that shoppers travel to this type of discount food store and the location of similar retail stores.

“The proposal enhances choice and competition for the benefit of residents and consumers in the Rosyth area. It reduces the need to travel to Dunfermline (in particular major superstores/supermarkets located outwith Dunfermline town centre) and is in an easily accessible location for those travelling on foot, cycle or by public transport.”

Danny Hughes, Rosyth Community Council chair, said: “The Yard has been an eyesore for a long time and it was never going to re-open as a pub. It has been getting vandalised so it’s good that it is at last going to be pulled down.

“It has been brought up at our meetings about it being an eyesore and that it’s dangerous, and the fact it’s a shop is fine because it will bring more jobs to the area.”

In February 2015, then Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley – whose constituency covered Rosyth – raised concerns over The Yard’s safety with the council and Police Scotland over fears “for children who have been seen on the roof falling through” and “the potential for vermin to use this derelict building as a home”.