Green light for next phase of Inverkeithing redevelopment

It will see a further 61 homes built as part of the masterplan to transform it from “an unpopular estate into an attractive neighbourhood”.

Fife Council decided in 2011 that the troubled street, built in the 1950s, should be knocked down and rebuilt.

A total of 236 council flats are being demolished and replaced with 189 modern homes and three new shops.

The redevelopment is being funded by the council, Kingdom Housing Association and the Scottish Government and began with a £7.9m first phase of 53 homes.

The first of those homes are due to be finished in October – later than planned – with the next round of demolition works due to start in January and building on the second phase to follow in the summer of 2019 with an estimated completion date of December 2020.

The date for the start on site is dependent on the rehousing of the tenants who still live in the flats, with some moving into the phase 1 homes.

Julie Watson, Kingdom’s development manager, said: “Work has been progressing well on the first phase, however, the original completion date has slipped slightly due to delays associated with some infrastructure works and diversions.”

Chief executive Bill Banks added: “The phase 2 proposals form part of a masterplan which will see the development of the whole of Fraser Avenue.

“The masterplan proposals were granted planning permission in principle in April 2016.

“Building on the successes and the design approach of phase 1, this second phase will provide further high-quality, energy-efficient homes along with a large landscaped area, which will be located within the heart of the development.

“This landscaped area will provide a focal point for the community, play spaces and green amenity space.”

The case for regeneration was made in a 2011 report that said Fraser Avenue was in the 15 per cent most deprived areas of Scotland and had poor quality homes that were cold, damp and lacking in daylight.

The area suffered from anti-social behaviour problems, alleyways that “do not feel safe” and there was no recognisable “heart” to the community.

The playpark was in “poor condition”, car parks were littered with “broken-down vehicles” and areas of green space were “useless”.

However, residents also talked up the area’s strong sense of community, good transport connections and views out over the Forth, with around 100 stating that they wanted to return to the street.

Many have been involved in the design process which aims to give tenants a new home with their own front doors and, where possible, south-facing gardens.

Bulldozers knocked down the three-storey blocks at the top of the street to enable phase 1 to get under way. It should be completed before demolition starts again for phase 2, which will be made up of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes, a mix of bungalows, flats and houses. Around a third of the properties, being built for Kingdom by Campion Homes, will suit the needs of tenants who require amenity or wheelchair housing.