WORK on a new Lidl supermarket in Rosyth will not start until later in the year despite hopes that building had begun last week.

Excitement grew when locals witnessed workers on the land at Admiralty Road in the new year.

However, site owners MacTaggart and Mickel have confirmed that this was only investigation works that need to be carried out before any construction can start.

Lidl told the Press that they intend to be on site later in 2020 but couldn't confirm when.

The long-awaited project has been on the cards since August 2016, when Fife Council put the Admiralty Road site up for sale.

Planning permission was granted by Fife Council in April 2018 for Lidl to build a store at Admiralty Road.

The proposals included flattening a derelict pub, The Yard, and using the adjacent Rosyth FC football pitch to build their store and car park.

To the relief of Rosyth families, Mactaggart and Mickel bulldozed The Yard back in July.

The derelict building was plagued by vandalism with multiple fires set by youths and residents had put pressure on the company to knock it down.

The deal to bring Lidl to Rosyth has included the sale of part of Recreation Park, the home of Rosyth Football Club.

The club, which had been playing there since 1992, vacated the ground in April 2018 and have since been playing on the astroturf at the Fleet Grounds.

Plans were made for the football team to have a new pitch at the Fleet Grounds built, with changing rooms, fencing and parking as part of the deal to bring Lidl to Rosyth.

However, they have remained in limbo until Lidl's plans materialise.

Craig Ormond, director at Mactaggart & Mickel, said: “We have been on-site to carry out further investigation work, which is needed before any construction can start on the new retail store at our site in Admiralty Road.

“It is anticipated that Lidl will start construction on their new store in the coming weeks.”

A Lidl spokesperson said: "Site investigation works have been carried out. We intend to be on site later in the year and will provide further details as soon as we have a confirmed start date."