IT COULD be the final whistle for the "eyesore" former home of junior football side Steelend Victoria as there are proposals to turn it into a family home.

Local farmer Robin Squair has asked Fife Council for planning permission to develop the site, next to the appropriately-named Midfield Terrace.

He's applied for a change of use from football pavilion and football ground to residential dwelling, including internal and external alterations and the erection of a garage for three vehicles.

In his application, Mr Squair, of Lower Killernie Farm, said: "The existing building has fallen into a dilapidated state due to years of neglect.

"For approximately 10 years, there's been no football game played on the pitch and no local interest to the site due to the condition of the building and grounds.

"After funding was refused on numerous occasions and no financially-beneficial way of operating a football pitch, we are proposing a change of use to a residential property to allow what has become an eyesore in the area of Steelend to be turned into a family home."

Steelend Vics folded in October 2013 after running into financial problems.

The club was founded in the village in 1946 and there was a name change to Comrie Colliery in 1963 after they accepted assistance from the National Coal Board.

They stopped playing in 1988 but the club was revived as Steelend Vics in 1995.

Second-bottom of the old South Division when it all came to an end, their last match was a 5-4 defeat to Whitburn in September 2013.

The site is 300 square metres in size and on the eastern edge of the village.

The development involves the conversion of the former changing rooms and showers area into a three-bedroom home which would have solar panels.

Sportscotland, a statutory consultee on planning applications which would impact on outdoor sports facilities, gave a "holding response" to the planning application.

Their planner, Gillian Kyle, said: "Please could the applicant provide further information on the extent of the football pitch that will be affected.

"The information submitted does not allow us to determine the impact on the existing playing field as it is not marked out on the plans and no description or narrative has been provided which makes this clear.

"Information on the current use and history of the pitch would also be useful."

Under Scottish planning policy, outdoor sports facilities should be safeguarded from development unless certain criteria are met.