THERE are plans to spend £3.3 million on creating 27 new "high-quality" apartments on Walmer Drive in Dunfermline.

Two Knights Developments, based in Dalgety Bay, want to convert the old Fife Council buildings into nine homes and build a new five-storey block with a further 18 homes next to it.

Agents for the firm said that, if their plans are approved, they could start work on the site later this year.

A design statement explained: "The building is currently a vacant office owned by Fife Council and has not been occupied since 2011, when it became surplus to requirements.

"In economic terms, it is not considered to be viable as an office refurbishment within the Dunfermline market and a failure to invest will see the fabric deteriorate and the property left prone to vandalism."

The original building is an early 19th century, two-stone villa and a three-storey 'wrap around' extension was added in the 1960s when it was converted into office premises with an enclosed car sales garage.

If their application for listed building consent is approved by the council, Two Knights plan to convert the existing buildings into seven two-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom duplexes.

The existing undercover parking area would be refurbished to provide car-parking spaces for the flats.

The new building, on the lower half of the existing car park, would provide 16 one- and two-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom penthouses.

Additional parking would be located on the area between the two buildings.

The agents said: "This former office building provides an opportunity for the development of a high-quality, attractive and marketable site.

"It has the potential to provide an exemplar for modern, urban living within a mixed use environment, close to the town centre and all local facilities and amenities."

They added that the facade of the villa would be retained and repaired to make the most of the original features but said the 1960s extension "seriously compromised" the original building.

They added: "The later extension has very little architectural worth and will be reclad, giving the building a much-needed facelift."