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Mystery surrounds the future of a proposed Glenrothes distillery after a planning application for the new complex was suddenly withdrawn.

The Courier revealed in December that Australian firm Pure Scot Limited had earmarked a site in the Southfield Industrial Estate for the distillery, along with a bottling hall.

The multi-million-pound project was expected to create in the region of 30 full-time jobs and bolster central Fife’s reputation at the heart of the scotch whisky industry.

However, last week it emerged the planning application for the Crompton Road site had been withdrawn, amid speculation the company was looking elsewhere in Scotland for ready-made premises.

Councillor Bill Brown said that the news would be a blow to the town.

“I am really disappointed to hear that the planned new distillery for Southfield is not going ahead,” he said.

“This new development was welcomed some months ago, with the promise of around 30 jobs.

“We really need to encourage new businesses to come to Glenrothes, especially after recent announcements regarding closures at Velux and Tullis Russell.”

Pure Scot Limited was only formally established in December and was understood to have held lengthy talks with Fife Council over its plans for Glenrothes.