PLANS have been submitted for a new nursery on the site of the old Pitcorthie Primary in Dunfermline.

Fife Councill took the controversial decision to close the school in 2014 and, when the land was first earmarked as a possible nursery site two years later, parents were furious that it was being considered for another education facility.

But chiefs believe the site off Aberdour Road fits the bill for the council’s £30 million programme to deliver an increase in childcare facilities across the Kingdom.

The purpose-built facility would include four playrooms, outdoor learning spaces and play areas, flexible communal space and an associated car park.

One room would be used specifically by two-year-olds while the other playrooms would be reserved for three- to four-year-olds.

A transportation report submitted with the plans stated that journey times from the catchment area would take 20-30 minutes for those walking door-to-door.

It has been identified that there are a number of walkways and cycle paths accessing the site and a bus stop is opposite. The surrounding residential areas all have a 20mph speed limit, with Aberdour Road being subject to 30mph and a number of traffic-calming measures.

The Scottish Government wants to increase nursery provision by 2020.

More than 700 new nursery places are set to be created in West Fife with youngsters set to get 1,140 hours instead of the current 600 hours by August next year.

The council have also submitted plans for a second brand-new nursery at Halbeath Community Centre. The design matches the outlay of the new nursery at Pitcorthie.

The site is surrounded by an existing sports pitch, a residential area and open scrubland.

Halbeath Community Centre has also been described as easily accessible with a range of transport modes serving the area.

There was controversy over the move to build a nursery at the community centre too. Dunfermline Boxing Club was forced to find new facilities after permission was granted to demolish the centre.

Last week, plans were also tabled to pave the way for the conversion of Rosyth Resource Centre into an additional nursery for West Fife.