Town planners and designers Barton Willmore have submitted a Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) application on behalf of Advance Construction (GD) Ltd that centres on a residential-led mixed use masterplan for a range of uses, including up to 850 new homes, with 85 being affordable.

It is estimated that the regeneration project will deliver a £42.5 million boost for Glenrothes, creating up to 450 jobs and employment for around 300 construction workers during the 10-year build programme.

Alongside housing, at the heart of the 52-hectare site are plans for retail and leisure facilities, business space, industrial units, a care home and an extension to the Riverside Park, which will connect the new development to Glenrothes town centre.

Lead planning consultant Barton Willmore, which has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow, have worked closely with Advance Construction (GD) Ltd to develop the plans, providing town planning, masterplanning, landscape, environmental impact assessment and socio-economic assessment services for the project.

Planning director for Barton Willmore in Scotland, Colin Lavety, said: “The Planning Permission in Principle application we have submitted aims to breathe new life back into what is an important landmark historically for the town of Glenrothes. It will regenerate a high profile site which has been left vacant since the former Tullis Russell Paper Mill site was closed, creating a desirable, attractive and highly sustainable place to live and work.

“Our focus has been to deliver alternative but complementary uses to the existing town centre, alongside a mix of high-quality homes which are within easy walking distance of schools, jobs, shops, leisure facilities, parkland and public transport.”

Lynsey Breen, director of strategic operations for Advance Construction, a Bellshill-based company that specialises in large-scale groundworks and civil engineering, said: “We’re proud to help transform Glenrothes and get the area ready for hundreds of high-quality houses, which will contribute to the much-needed demand for new homes and jobs in the area.”