EMPLOYEES at FMC Technologies will be fit to work as a staff gym is part of the firm’s new plans in Pitreavie. And there could be new jobs created if the proposals for the old Somerfield distribution centre are approved by Fife Council.

FMC, a major supplier to the oil and gas industries, have already demolished the buildings on the site and tabled a planning application last week.

They want to build a new warehouse, an industrial building, security gatehouse, training block and a welfare building – which would include facilities for staff such as a gym, locker rooms, showers and a restaurant.

There would also be 513 car parking spaces and the re-opening of the access from the A823 Queensferry Road.

FMC held a public consultation event in April and their planning statement said, “The feedback from the public was very positive and the event was well attended by members of the public and FMC employees.

“The overriding theme from the event was that people were very pleased to see such a large and prominent site being put to good use and the potential for new employment opportunities in the community.” The Somerfield depot provided a base for deliveries to be made to stores across Scotland but was closed down in April 2011 with the loss of 250 jobs after the Co-op group, who took over the company in 2008, built a new distribution centre in North Lanarkshire.

FMC provide a range of equipment and technologies that are required to explore, drill and develop offshore oil and gas fields.

The firm’s Pitreavie base is used for the design and manufacturing of subsea trees, wellhead systems and associated equipment that occupies more than 213,000 square feet.

The new site is 306,000 sq ft in size.