WORK is underway on converting an empty unit at Carnegie Retail Park in Dunfermline into the new TK Maxx store.

Scaffolding has been erected at unit 8, the former Dreams bed shop, and internal alterations are being carried out with Fife Council confirming development has commenced.

The local authority gave the go-ahead last November for a change of use which will allow TK Maxx to open in the retail park, which also hosts B&Q, Matalan, Home Bargains, Pagazzi, Farmfoods and Pure Gym, and create around 30 jobs.

The applicant, Zurich Assurance Ltd, explained in a planning statement: "TK Maxx have a requirement for a store in Dunfermline.

"Unit 8 at Carnegie Retail Park satisfies their requirements for a store in Dunfermline and also meets their floorspace criteria."

They added: "The proposed development will bring investment and regenerative benefits to Dunfermline and will also create around 30 jobs."

The alterations at the Carnegie Retail Park unit include building a mezzanine floor, to increase trading space.

Boasting big brands and designer labels at small prices, TK Maxx are an American company that opened their first UK store in Bristol in 1994.

They sell clothing, footwear, gifts, bedding, furniture and domestic goods.

There are now more than 350 TK Maxx stores in the UK.

A total of 51 empty units were considered in Dunfermline, including High Street, Maygate, Pilmuir Street, East Port, Chapel Street, Bruce Street, Bridge Street and Queen Anne Street, but most of the premises were "too small" and dismissed as unsuitable, while a prominent site in the Kingsgate Shopping Centre was too big.

Zurich's planning agents, the firm of Montagu Evans, explained: "The former Debenhams unit is significantly larger than the floorspace of the proposed development.

"It can be dismissed on the grounds of suitability and viability, given the associated increase in costs (rent, businesses rates, maintenance) associated with a unit significantly larger than the development proposals."

Three combined units in the Kingsgate were also looked at but they were too small or the layout unsuitable.

Back in March 1987 Chartwell Land PLC (formerly Woolworth Properties Ltd) and British Rail Property Board applied for permission to build a 112,500 square feet retail park on the site of the old Dunfermline Upper railway station.

It was approved two years later by the then Fife Regional Council who put in a condition that imposed a restriction on the type of goods to be sold.

The 'non-food retail warehouses' would be allowed to sell goods such as carpets, household textiles and soft furnishings, furniture, garden equipment, plants and flowers, DIY and home improvement supplies, cycles, motor servicing and motorcycle parts and accessories and electrical goods.

That stance softened over the years, with change of use applications allowing Farmfoods and B&M to move in, and now TK Maxx have been given the go-ahead.

The retail park has nine units. Unit 7 has been vacant since 2014.

The Press contacted TK Maxx for more details on the store opening but they did not reply.