Members of the council’s central area planning committee were advised to give the green light to the proposals to construct a replacement for Viewforth High School on nearby playing fields at Windmill Road.

The decision to approve planning permission for the new building means construction work is expected to begin imminently.

Estimated to cost around £24 million, the school has been promoted as a community hub for a large part of Kirkcaldy, a model which could be copied at other new schools in Fife.

Local councillor Kay Carrington told The Courier: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Kirkcaldy east. It’s great for our young people, who are currently in a school that’s over 100 years old.

“Fife is taking the lead in putting up new schools and this is wonderful for Kirkcaldy.”

Preparatory work has already been under way at the Windmill Road site for a number of months, with the existing playing fields having been removed.

Ground stabilisation work has been ongoing after the land was designated as being at “high risk” of subsidence, a legacy of the area’s former coal mining industry.

The initial three-storey structure will be constructed to cater for around 600 pupils but room has been left to expand the capacity to 1,000.

The current Viewforth High has a roll in the region of 400 pupils.

As well as a secondary school, a new Rosslyn Special Support School will also be located on campus.

The new building will also be home to community facilities, including a library, sports pitches and a local council office.

With planning permission now granted for the school building, construction is expected to begin imminently.

Although no firm opening date has been set, it is believed the school could open its doors for the 2017/18 session.