WORK on a "luxury" care home in Dunfermline could be a step closer to starting as planning conditions are met.

The Press reported previously that proposals had been submitted to Fife Council for the erection of a new 60-bed facility on the former Royal Air Force/Navy strategic command centre site – which closed in 1996 – adjacent to Pitreavie Castle.

But before construction started developers were required to assess the risk of potential land contamination on the site and, where remedial action was recommended, submit an action statement.

Lead and asbestos were found on the land but impacted soils have been excavated while further contaminations are to be controlled by an environmental capping layer.

The care home, set for Castle Drive, has been designed by Edinburgh-based Yeoman McAllister Architects and will include a range of communal facilities for residents to enjoy including external garden areas, a café, piano bar, games room, hair salon and cinema.

It will also create 65 full-time and part-time jobs.

The facility is proposed by the Glasgow-based Simply Group and will be operated by Morar Living.

Other conditions which have now been met include archaeological work, revised parking provisions, tree safeguarding, and details of additional tree planting.