A WEST FIFE eatery could make way for housing if plans lodged with Fife Council are given the go-ahead.

Ian and Sheila Wotherspoon have been at the helm at The Pantry and Kitchen – formerly The Hideaway – in Kingseat for the last seven years and have now applied for permission in principle to build nine houses with associated access and parking.

The proposals would also see the demolition of the restaurant and a house on the site.

Owner Ian Wotherspoon said the development would allow him and his wife to give up the restaurant.

“We have applied for outline planning permission and then hopefully a builder will come in and buy the whole thing and give us the chance to retire,” he said. 

“The restaurant and the house would be knocked down.

“We have tried to sell it for two years and haven’t had any interest so we will see what happens.”

A report to Fife Council by planning agents LSM Architecture said a residential development on the site would be more suitable in the long term.

“It is acknowledged that the property is currently operating as a successful restaurant business and provides a useful tourism and community resource, as well as employment,” it states.

“However, the proposals put forward by Taylor Wimpey will create a new ‘community core’ featuring a school, community uses, retail and business. 

"This new ‘nucleus’ at the heart of their development proposal is at odds with the Hideaway’s location on the periphery. 

“It is therefore anticipated that a residential development on the application site would be more suitable in the long term.

“Furthermore, the potential closure of the level crossing to the south of the site, and the potential formation of a new ‘northern link road’ will undoubtedly divert traffic away from the Hideaway’s location and towards the proposed ‘community core’.”