The innovative development will see a two-story 36-bed residential care home and day care centre with a nursery built on the site of the former Kirkland High School in Methil.

Thought to be the first local authority project of its type in Scotland, the development has been designed to bridge the generation gap by allowing older people and young children to mix regularly.

The £10.6 million proposal also includes 35 extra-care bungalows for those who want to live independently but make use of the home’s facilities, as well as a new playground, gardens and landscaped open space.

In the design statement, Fife Council wrote: “As a replacement to the ageing Methilhaven home, it will provide a variety of care services to the local community on one site, including residential care, community drop-in, day services, nursery, and extra care housing.”

The site has been lying empty since 2016 after the old high school was demolished.

It was later declared surplus land by the council after the completion of the new Levenmouth Academy.

Councillor David Graham, the council’s health and social care spokesman, said the proposal was a fantastic example of services working together to invest in the community.

“The planning application submission is only the first part of the development process and is quite a significant step forward for us in taking forward this groundbreaking development,” he added.

“The health and social care partnership will continue to speak to residents in the surrounding area, giving updates as the proposal progresses.”