JOLLYES Pets want to open a new store in at Carnegie Drive Retail Park in Dunfermline.
They sell animals, mammals, birds, fish and reptiles, as well as associated supplies, products and food , and often include a coffee bar, pet grooming parlour or veterinary clinic in their premises.
The UK's second largest pet retailer, with more than 100 stores across the country, Jollyes have their sights set on unit 5, which was occupied by Pagazzi Lighting until their lease expired in October last year.
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However they'll need Fife Council to agree to a change of use as, currently, only retail is permitted on the premises.
A planning application submitted on behalf of retail park owners Zurich Assurance Ltd said: "The proposed development will bring investment and regenerative benefits to Dunfermline and will also create around seven jobs."
It added that if the plans were approved, the unit could be occupied within six months.
Zurich previously submitted a successful change of use application which allowed TK Maxx to open a store in the retail park.
Among their many outlets, Jollyes have stores in Glenrothes, Edinburgh, Perth and Stirling.
The pet chain was bought earlier this year by TDR Capital, which co-owns Asda, and said the deal will allow it to speed up its store expansion plans across the UK as it seeks to take on Pets at Home.
The unit Jollyes want to move into has a floorspace of 7,521 square feet.
The plans include external alterations including recladding and re-roofing works.
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The application said: "Carnegie Drive Retail Park is an edge of centre site found adjacent to Dunfermline city centre.
"It is also identified as a development opportunity site where the preferred uses are retail, leisure or food and drink.
"Jollyes Pets has a requirement for a store in Dunfermline.
"Unit five at Carnegie Drive Retail Park satisfies their requirements for a store in Dunfermline and also meets their floorspace criteria."
It said that 10 vacant units in the nearby Kingsgate Shopping Centre were considered but the majority were below the minimum floorspace threshold and "were therefore too small to accommodate the proposed development and dismissed as unsuitable and unviable on that basis".
The former Debenhams store was deemed "too large".
A further 10 properties in the city centre were also looked at but were discounted as too small.
The statement added: "The proposed development will bring economic benefits to the area, including job creation and investment within Dunfermline.
"Given the strong linkage between the city centre and the retail park, it is considered that the proposal will support and complement the city centre."
The retail park has nine units and tenants include B&Q, Matalan, Home Bargains, TK Maxx and Pure Gym.
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