Published Date: Sep 21st, 2022
Planning permission has now been granted for the construction of 10 business units at Fife Interchange North, Dunfermline, as part of Fife Council’s Industrial Innovation Investment Programme for business land and property, funded by the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
Fife Interchange is a major business park with first-class location, transport connections and workforce availability, and is already home to Amazon UK’s 1.1 million sq. ft fulfilment centre.
The site has excellent links to Mid-Fife, enabling job seekers to easily access employment opportunities.
The 10 business units will range in size from 160sqm to 365sqm, with the option to combine units, including the potential to provide a single unit of 730 sqm.
The development is part of the £1.3 billion Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, a partnership of local authorities, universities and colleges, and the Scottish and UK Governments to deliver a 15-year programme that is transforming the regional economy.
Fife Interchange North spearheads an innovative approach to energy generation and management, with the amount of carbon used in the construction process being minimised. Particular attention has been given to the thermal efficiency of the units and the development has been designed to maximise solar gain, with enhanced levels of insulation and air tightness to help cut operational carbon. Electric charging points will be provided for tenants, including a 50kW rapid charger.
Recent site servicing included a new access road, utilities, landscaping and a sustainable urban drainage system. As well as providing the essential infrastructure for the business units, the site works have also created land for future private sector development. When running the utilities to the site, innovative horizontal drilling was used to minimise disruption to road users when installing underground pipes. Using this construction method avoided complete road closures, and minimised disruption by keeping the traffic in the local area moving.
The units are due for completion in Summer 2024. They will be available to rent to innovative businesses that are looking to invest and expand in Fife.
Cllr Altany Craik, Spokesperson - Finance, Economy & Strategic Planning, said: “We are committed to ensuring that Fife Council delivers modern business infrastructure that meets local, regional and national market requirements. This City Region Deal project will deliver essential infrastructure to provide greater opportunity to attract major investment.
"Supporting business growth and jobs remains a top priority for the Council, and this development will provide new opportunities for local people as well as supporting the local economy and the wider supply chain."
“Our focus is on genuine inclusive economic growth and investment. Our Industrial Innovation Investment Programme is creating 1,000 new skilled permanent jobs and almost 600 short-term construction jobs over the 15-year lifetime of the City Deal. Joint working between the region’s universities, Fife businesses and Fife Council means more high value jobs.”
Cllr. James Calder, Convener- City of Dunfermline Area Committee, added: “This is an exciting opportunity in an area that has significant economic growth potential and will boost more local jobs to help create a fairer Fife. This development will create significant business and career opportunities on one of Fife’s most strategic employment sites situated next to the M90.”
The council has worked to protect the local natural environment and enhance the look of the site by planting around 1,000 trees and 600 shrubs along the front of the M90. As well as their carbon capture role, these trees will sustain wildlife and increase biodiversity on the site.
Fife Council's investment in business land and property at Fife Interchange will help support the delivery of significant private sector investment in the local area.
The units will be managed and let by Economic Development. For more information or leasing enquiries visit www.investfife.co.uk