THE dilapidated Pilmuir Works will be converted into 157 new homes, shops, bars and takeaway restaurants with building to begin in the autumn.

Fife Council’s west planning committee gave the go-ahead for the proposals at their recent meeting and their decision was welcomed by the developers.

Byzantian Developments Ltd, headed by local businessman Steven Turnbull and business partner Daniel Multon, said the major redevelopment of the category A-listed buildings will create “Dunfermline’s premium live/work destination”.

The ambitious plans for an attractive mixed use development in Pilmuir Street include a new seven-storey red brick block, rooftop gardens, the preservation of Dunfermline’s last industrial chimney, a separate private car park on Campbell Street and even £100 for each resident to buy a bike.

“This fantastic planning result for Dunfermline is testament to the constructive relationship developed between Fife Council and our project team,” said Mr Multon.

“The regeneration of Pilmuir Works will create Dunfermline’s premium live/work destination. We are looking to start on site in the autumn of this year.”

The site, on Pilmuir Street, was last used as a factory by Dunlop and then Duracord but it closed in 2005 and the site fell into disrepair.

Linklever Ltd gained permission in 2007 for shops, a restaurant, creche and a coffee bar, as well as 80 flats, but work never started and the company went into receivership two years ago.

Byzantian’s plans involve the conversion and demolition of existing structures, as well as new buildings such as a seven-storey block in the centre of the site that will have 66 flats and rooftop gardens.

A further 37 homes are proposed in a new five-storey, light beige brick block at the Winterthur Lane end of the site and 54 flats are planned for Pilmuir Street.

There will be private gardens with trees, plants and ‘soft’ landscaping, and 72 car-parking spaces, including three electric car-charging points.

As reported by the Press in March, both businessmen believe the revitalised building will change the streetscape of the area.

“The whole building will be brought to life,” said Mr Multon. “It will be fantastic when it happens. We already have got an artisan coffee roaster who is going to open there all being well.

“We want to bring retailers there who are going to enhance the lifestyle of the development. Small food and beverage places, cafes, delis, that kind of thing. Because it is such a big site, we have been able to incorporate all these elements.”

Vehicle access will be from Winterthur Lane and spaces for Fife’s first car club, where a group of residents agree to share vehicles, are included.

To address a shortfall in the number of parking spaces, Byzantian have been in discussions with the council about acquiring land on Campbell Street, at the back of Carnegie Leisure Centre.

It’s proposed to use the site as a private car park with up to 61 spaces. And to support sustainable travel, Byzantian had proposed to give each resident a “welcome pack” with a gift voucher for £100 for a local bike shop, bus vouchers, links to bus and train timetables and a map of pedestrian and cycle routes.