The local authority’s housing boss has recommended the house — just across the street from where Karen’s parents live — be bulldozed in light of the great shock that the tragedy caused to the community of Tayport.

Karen’s father Frank welcomed the news and said he and his wife Allison wanted the boarded-up house, which is a constant reminder their daughter’s horrific death, “wiped out”.

Mr Dewar said, “We have to pass it every day. They can build another house there if they want, as long as that house is out of the way.”

A spokesman for the local community council said that ridding the town of 67 Tay Street would please most in the community.

Tayport Ferryport-on-Craig Community Council chairman Jean Massie said, “That’s been the wishes of most people ever since the incident.” But she added, “An empty space is going to be a reminder as well. I don’t think anything will take that away. It was such a horrible thing to happen.”

It has been suggested in the North Fife town, plunged into grief by the terrible events of January 20, 2005, that a memorial to Karen be created in its place. However, plans are already afoot for a memorial garden in Castle Street.

No mention is made in the report, to go before the council’s east area services committee, of what would happen to the gap site left, and the community council is awaiting a decision before discussing what should take the house’s place.

Evans, who strangled Karen and set her body on fire and dumped it in a wheelie bin, was jailed for 17 years last August.

He had moved into 67 Tay Street, which was used as temporary accommodation for homeless people, less than six months before he murdered the 16-year-old, who had befriended him.

In his report, head of housing Alan Davidson favours demolition over the alternative of retaining the property and letting it as a secure tenancy.

Demolition, which would need planning consent and a building warrant, would cost £4500 plus £1000 for ground treatment work.