A ROOFTOP terrace cafe and shop could be added to a Hillend plant market if proposals are given the green light.

Growforth Ltd has asked Fife Council for permission to erect a retail unit with associated parking at their existing horticultural centre at Clockluine Road.

The proposals would also see the relocation of polytunnels and landscaping at the site.

A planning statement said the plans would help the West Fife business grow.

“Established in 1990, Growforth Ltd is an award-winning wholesale nursery business that currently supplies over 500 small businesses (landscapers, developers, designers and garden centres), more than half of which are based in Fife and their customers include over 95 per cent of Scottish garden centres,” it stated.

“As a growing business, it is Growforth’s objective to create a new and unique combination of businesses on this site that have community and the environment at their heart.

“Through this development, Growforth aims to develop their business while considerably improving their environmental credentials and overall efficiency.

“High-quality landscaping will create a distinctive and pleasant setting for the new buildings. Polytunnel structures will be expanded to allow for the higher demand of plants.

“The public will have access to facilities, including an electric vehicle charging point, manual car wash facility and recycling point. The café area will offer a pleasant environment for a small break.

“It is essential that the new building sits well within its rural environment and enhances the appearance of the site. The building has been designed using multiple re-purposed shipping containers in a contemporary style.

“The amended proposal for the horticultural centre will enhance the appearance of the existing site and provide valuable retail and social facilities for the community and wider public. It will make a significant positive impact to the existing business.”

The new cafe would be created from the conversion of crates, which would be clad with wood to hide the their original appearance and feature inside space and a rooftop terrace.

The planning statement explained that the cafe, inside and on the rooftop, would incorporate fair trade produce, local food, portion management and recycling.

It added: “This will also be a flexible space able to provide a gallery space for local crafts display, an educational/community space incorporating areas for instruction of school children, hobby gardeners, teachers, club or craft evenings, political surgeries, parcel collection point, events, gatherings and social occasions.”