Fife Council reject plans for Daily Store in Inverkeithing

The Daily Store at 67 High Street is already trading, as the tenant was "unaware" he needed consent, but the local authority is now set to take enforcement action.

Local councillor David Barratt, who is also now the new Cowdenbeath MSP, raised "serious concerns" when the shop opened in November and advised locals to "avoid" it.

A retrospective application to turn a pub into this shop on Inverkeithing High Street has been refused. (Image: Newsquest)

This week he stated: "If they'd gone about this properly, I don't think it would have been difficult to achieve.

"It is all evidence of the total disregard for basic legal process and raises questions about how they handle other responsibilities, including consumer safety."

It's the site of the old Hat and Ribbon pub which closed around seven years ago and the council confirmed that "unauthorised" works had been carried out, including the installation of metal security shutters, to turn it into a convenience store.

Enforcement action was underway but Mr Barratt said it didn't appear to be effective.

Cowdenbeath MSP, and Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay councillor, David Barratt. (Image: Supplied)

In March the applicant, Mr Saleh Safi, submitted a retrospective application to change the use of the premises from pub to shop, as well as the new aluminium shopfront, roller shutters and minor internal alterations.

A statement on his behalf said: "The works were undertaken to make the long-vacant property usable, address severe deterioration and stop water ingress.

"This application is now submitted to regularise the position."

It had added: "As the property sits within an established commercial frontage, the new tenant did not appreciate that planning permission was required to change the use from a former public house to a small retail unit.

"Their intention was to restore and reactivate the long-vacant property, improve its presentation, and create a welcoming shop space offering additional choice to residents and healthy competition for other local businesses."

However the application has now been refused by the council.

The old Hat and Ribbon pub closed more than seven years ago. (Image: Google)

A report said the proposal was "unacceptable" and did not meet the terms of national guidance, the local development plan and guidelines relating to design and the impact on the conservation area, as well as submitting "insufficient information" to justify the loss of the former pub.

Mr Barratt commented: "I agree entirely with the position on the external alterations, with the owner clearly having made no effort to reflect the requirements of the conservation area.

"Addressing these issues are not difficult or insurmountable though, so I expect the owner could resolve this in a subsequent application.

"On the lack of justification to convert the premises from a pub to a shop, they don't appear to have made any attempt to comply with planning policy."

He continued: "I stand by my previous comments on this business, and believe it is extremely unfair to legitimate businesses locally who go through the correct processes and operate within the law, only to have outfits like this undercut them.

"I've spoken to several businesses on Inverkeithing High Street who have been frustrated by the apparent lack of meaningful action.

"I stand by those businesses and continue to raise my concerns with around this business with the relevant agencies."