A plan to develop new housing and flexible business units on Cowdenbeath High Street has suffered delays, but planners say they “remain committed” to the development.

The gap site behind the Green Square, where the former DSS building stood for decades, will see commercial units and around 30 social rent homes built to meet the needs of local people.

Ground stabilisation works have now been completed at the site, allowing the project to move forward to the next stage. The area was widely mined during Cowdenbeath’s early years in the mid to late 1800’s.

The regeneration project received backing around 2020 when the Council obtained the land and demolished the long-derelict DSS office in Factory Road.

More than £1m will be invested from the Edinburgh City Region Deal for “flexible business accomodation” at the gap site.

Affordable housing units will be built in partnership with Kingdom Housing Association as part of Fife’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan, according to papers last presented to the Area Committee in February 2025.

Head of Communities and Corporate Development at Fife Council, Paul Vaughan commented: “Ground stabilisation works have now been completed at the site with the support of the Vacant and Derelict Land Fund. It is proposed to deliver new business accommodation, supported through the Fife Industrial Innovation Investment Programme, part of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal. 

“This will form part of a wider mixed-use development, which also includes proposals for new housing. Discussions are ongoing with a third party regarding the residential element of the development. Subject to conclusion of those discussions we are unable to confirm timescales for the development but we remain committed to delivering a high-quality development that supports economic growth and meets local needs and bring back into use a long standing vacant site as soon as possible.”

John Scott, a Director with My Cowdenbeath regeneration group said:

“Any progress on this important development for the town is welcome and we understand, with the town’s mining history, that securing the foundations for such a large and complex building project must be completed fully before work can start.

“We’re keen now for the Council and its building partners to move into the consultation stage so people in Cowdenbeath can have their say in shaping how the new shops and homes will look, including the impact on neighbouring properties and businesses. We look forward to hearing soon on the next stages.”

Two previous plans to develop the site for much-needed homes in 2013 and 2017 were eventually withdrawn by developers.

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