AN APPEAL to reverse a decision to refuse plans for a Home Bargains store in Dunfermline has been lodged.

Agent Iceni Projects has called on the Scottish Government to permit the proposals for land south of Dunlin Drive which they say will help address a "shortfall" in local retail provision.

In September, councillors agreed with planning officers that the proposals for the retail unit with outdoor garden centre and parking should be turned down.

They said that the application, which attracted 173 objections and 30 comments of support, would have a "detrimental impact" on existing and future city-centre trade.

However, the agents have refuted the grounds for refusal and asked for a re-think on the decision.

They state: "The proposed development will deliver a new Home Bargains retail store on a vacant development plot within the Dunfermline settlement boundary.

"The proposal is supported by national policy and is compliant with the Development Plan. There are no material considerations which warrant the refusal of the application – on the contrary, material considerations have been demonstrated to support the proposed development."

Lodging the appeal, they say the council has "failed to take into account" the findings of a Retail Impact Assessment.

The appeal document adds: "Furthermore, the council do not appear to have given sufficient consideration to the planning history of the site, which establishes a clear precedent of retail development of a similar scale in this location.

"Finally, the council have failed to consider the significant benefits of the scheme, which include helping to address a shortfall in local retail provision (in line with 20-minute neighbourhood principles), bringing this long-term vacant development plot into active use, and contributing significantly to the local economy."

Those behind the plans say around 100 full-time jobs would be created if the store was given the go-ahead while a total of £10 million investment would be made in the local economy within the first three years of the project.

They conclude: "The site is a vacant development plot with a history of retail consents and is sustainably located within a growth area where local retail provision is limited.

"The proposed development would clearly fill a need for more local retail provision, would be in accordance with previously consented (though now lapsed) planning permissions at the site, and would contribute to the local economy."

Interested parties have until December 15 to make representations to the Scottish Government reporter in relation to the planning appeal.