THE Dunfermline businessman behind multi-million pound plans for the dilapidated Pilmuir Works is hoping to breathe new life into the listed building.

As reported in the Press last week, a proposal of application notice has been submitted to Fife Council for the erection of new buildings and the conversion, part demolition, extension and refurbishment of existing buildings to form residential units.

The plans have been submitted by the Edinburgh-based Byzantian Developments Ltd which is half owned by property developer Steven Turnbull.

Along with business partner Daniel Multon, Mr Turnbull told the Press that they are hoping to create a mixed development.

“It will be retail and residential and a mix of new building and renovation,” he explained. “For the residential aspect, a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments is what we are hoping for but we are in the early stages.

“There are a lot of challenges on the site and it is going to be a case of working along with the council and Historic Environment Scotland. They are wanting it all kept but structurally we don’t know if it is all sound. There are a lot of initial works to be done.

“There are lots of nice features and characters but it has been open to the elements – it has been empty for 10 years and in that time, there has been water damage, fires and they all take their toll on any building.

“Everything is getting retained that can be. The chimney will be retained as will the engine house.”

Mr Turnbull is aware that his plans will be eagerly awaited by local residents.

“It is a prominent site – I have grown up in Dunfermline and lived here all my days so was well aware of it. Between myself and Daniel, we have a lot of experience in dealing with listed buildings for residential and commercial across Scotland.

“It will be a phased development as it is too big to do in one go.”

Previous plans for the building, submitted by the now collapsed Linklever Ltd, gained permission in 2007 for shops, a restaurant, creche and a coffee bar, as well as 80 flats.

After these failed to come to fruition, Mr Turnbull is aware they need to get their plans right.

“There’s always a bit of a punt but we think we have done our homework and we are definitely going to develop the site,” he said. “We did look to see if we could purify their plans and take them on but the kind of development they had wasn’t really up our street.”

One thing already being looked at is the possibility that the new development can link into the existing Dunfermline District Heating Scheme which turns landfill gas into electricity and heat.

“We are going to try and run the whole site off that so it is good for the environment as well,” he added. “We have discussed it with the council and are going through the feasibility.”

The proposals go on show at a public exhibition in the Carnegie Leisure Centre on Thursday August 10 from 2pm to 8pm.