Councillors at a meeting of Fife Council’s Cabinet Committee will make a final decision on the future of the 1980s buildings, with demolition being the preferred option.

Both car parks have a prominent position on Kirkcaldy’s waterfront but are dated and coming to the end of their viable lifespan. The Thistle St car park has been closed for some time and the Esplanade car park’s average occupancy in 2024 was 7.6%. 

Convenor of Kirkcaldy’s Area Committee Cllr Ian Cameron is determined to see the sites redeveloped: “These car parks have unfortunately been real eyesores in our town centre for some time, as well as a target for anti-social behaviour.

“One of the key ambitions in our plan for Fife is to create thriving places and attractive, vibrant town centres. We will be doing our best to make sure the future of these sites helps increase investment in Kirkcaldy town centre.”

Demolition of the car parks would allow the council to dispose of the site on the open market to secure a high-quality mixed-use residential and commercial development, supporting the regeneration of the waterfront and wider Kirkcaldy town centre.

Subject to committee approval, demolition works could start in Summer 2025 and be completed by November 2026.

Meanwhile, work is set to start next week on essential repairs at the Leven Promenade car park, adjacent to the leisure centre. The maintenance includes repairs to the sea wall and the infilling of a sinkhole in the car park.

The west side of the car park will be closed temporarily, from Tuesday 27 May, for around two weeks. Signage will be displayed to guide car park users and disruption is expected to be kept to a minimum with access to and from the car park maintained where possible.

The repair work is part of wider measures to improve Leven Promenade following storm damage and convener of the Levenmouth Area Committee, Cllr Colin Davidson, welcomed the progress.

He said: “I’m delighted work will start next week on these essential repairs. It’s part of a wider package of improvement measures planned for the seafront and comes on the back of the opening of the Prom’s new skate park and developments at the east end of Leven Beach which have been warmly welcomed by visitors and locals alike. 

“Coupled with the introduction of an improved ScotRail service for Leven, we’re hopefully set to be welcoming many more visitors to Leven this summer.

“Funding from Levenmouth Reconnected was also recently awarded to the Leven Promenade Active Travel Route. I’m confident that once the Prom is repaired, the incentive for local people to make that switch to walking, wheeling or cycling along our stretch of the coast will be all the greater.”