An Inverkeithing landmark will be relocated and refurbished after plans were approved by Fife Council.

The local authority have been granted permission to dismantle, restore and re-site the town’s Mercat Cross.

These plans will see the cross be placed in a more central and prominent place in Inverkeithing’s town centre.

Currently, the cross sits at the end of Bank Street, while the plans suggest moving it to the centre of the High Street.

HISTORIC: The base plate of the Mercat Cross, detailing the site's history.HISTORIC: The base plate of the Mercat Cross, detailing the site's history. (Image: Newsquest) New stone seating has also been approved to circle the cross’ new location on the High Street.

Plans for its refurbishment were suggested after a condition report was carried out on the cross, believed to be one of the oldest in Scotland.

The report, dated from 2019, highlighted concerns surrounding “cracking/flaking over much of the carving and, at several localised areas, the stone is exposed.”

READ MORE: Fife Council lodge plans for Inverkeithing Mercat Cross restoration

“There appears to be a crack running across the front sundial face, but its severity and significance won’t be known until the paint is removed.”

Upon inspection of the lower shaft section that the cross stands on, serious concerns were highlighted in the report.

It stated: “The lower shaft section is the area that exhibits the main concerns. There are three large cracks running vertically up the section.

“These cracks are significant, but it is uncertain whether they are compromising the structural integrity of the shaft section at present.”

Due to the severity of the wear and tear on the cross, the proposals have been approved by the council’s planning department.

Restoration of the Mercat Cross forms part of Fife Council’s commitment to the Inverkeithing Urban Realm Project.

Fife Council were previously granted permission for this project, but the permission lapsed following delays during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The local authority have been granted a three year planning window for the Mercat Cross project, with the condition that construction must be completed within nine months of it starting.