Demolition at Kingdom Shopping Centre in Glenrothes 'beyond what was approved' as owner issued notice

The owner of a Fife shopping centre has been issued an enforcement notice after the council found that demolition works went “beyond what was approved”.

Glenrothes’ Albany Gate area, next to the Kingdom Shopping Centre in Glenrothes, is currently being razed to the ground as part of ongoing “regeneration works”.

On Wednesday, shoppers were surprised to see a wall at the shopping centre was destroyed amid the ongoing building works.

Following the incident, work was paused to allow for a full assessment to be carried out.

A spokesperson from the shopping centre told STV News that “removal of the wall forms part of the planned demolition works”.

However, following a visit from Fife Council’s building standards and public safety team, the local authority found that the works had gone beyond what was agreed.

An enforcement notice is due to be issued to the owner, Luxembourg-based Focus Estate Fund, urging them to repair the existing building and seek consent to carry on with demolition work.

The council has also notified the Health and Safety Executive following the incident.

Service manager Garry Nicoll said: “A member of staff from our Building Standards & Public Safety Team visited the site and found that the work has gone beyond what was approved for demolition.

“An enforcement notice is being served on the owners of the Kingdom Centre requiring them to obtain the necessary consent to carry on with the demolition work and repair the existing building.

“The demolition work is covered by legislation enforced by the Health & Safety Executive, and we have reported our concerns to them. Our Environmental Health Team has also made contact with the centre management, who have confirmed that no asbestos was present in the affected area.”

The HSE and Kingdom Shopping Centre has been contacted for comment.