THE owner of Khushi's restaurant has been given the green light to repair and rebuild his fire-damaged business.

Riaz Mohammed sought Fife Council consent to help him re-open the premises which were left in ruins after a major blaze last April.

Khushi's has remained closed ever since.

The "long road to recovery" is underway after the council granted planning permission and listed building consent - the historic four storey property on the corner of Canmore Street and St Margaret Street is category C listed - for extensive repairs and alterations.

However it won't be the same as before with the popular restaurant set to be much reduced in size.

A statement explained: “Planning permission is sought for a change of use for the first floor and part of the ground floor to allow the construction of residential flats, with the remainder of the ground floor being developed as a smaller restaurant to replace the existing one damaged by fire."

Dunfermline Press: Khushi's owner, Riaz Mohammed, is planning to rebuild the business after a major fire ripped through the building on April 21 last year. Khushi's owner, Riaz Mohammed, is planning to rebuild the business after a major fire ripped through the building on April 21 last year. (Image: Craig Tonner)

Khushi's opened in 2008 and previously used the basement for storage, with the restaurant on the ground and first floor and accommodation on the second and third floors.

The changes will see the restaurant on the ground floor only with the upper floors converted into five flats.

The work includes dormer extensions, installation of replacement windows and extraction ducts.

The applications were approved just before Christmas and a council report pointed out: "The property suffered extensive fire damage which has resulted in the collapse of the roof structure as well as extensive internal damage."

It added that the proposals were acceptable and decided that "no significant impacts would arise in regard to existing levels of residential amenity, visual amenity or road safety".

Dunfermline Press: Roads and businesses were closed after the fire above Khushi's restaurant in Dunfermline. Roads and businesses were closed after the fire above Khushi's restaurant in Dunfermline. (Image: Newsquest)

The fire at Khushi's broke out on a floor above the restaurant around 6pm on Friday April 21.

As the flames ripped through the building and thick black smoke filled the air, firefighters battled into the night to contain the blaze.

The roof and supporting beams were destroyed and the third floor flat was completely gutted but thankfully no-one was hurt.

Two neighbouring businesses, Fabric and Lourenzo's, were forced to shut while safety inspections were carried out and road closures remained in place until mid-June.

Lourenzo's has not re-opened.

Almost nine months on, scaffolding and boards are still in place around the restaurant due to safety precautions.

Mr Mohammed had described the devastation and said: “The second floor of the restaurant has heavy damage from both the blaze and the water used to put it out.

"The ground floor, although spared the fire, has suffered extensive water damage and sadly there is very little that is salvageable.

“There’s no question, this will be a long road to recovery but every journey starts with the first steps and to know we are recovering with your support makes all the difference.

"We remain positive and thankful as we start down the road ahead.”