Company keen to discuss controversial Westfield proposals

Development: Forum to be set up amid criticism that local communities have been kept in the dark over plans

The company behind plans for a gas-fuelled power plant at the dormant Westfield site is to set up a public liaison group.

Hargreaves Services says it is keen to discuss its proposals for the former opencast mine as it works to bring the area back into productive use.

The Durham-based firm has faced criticism amid claims communities living in the shadow of the site near Cardenden have been kept in the dark over the plans, submitted just days after planning permission in principle was granted for a massive green energy park and industrial estate.

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell claimed the application went against the spirit of the company’s green intentions for the site.

Iain Cockburn, Hargreaves’ Group finance director, said the massive regeneration project could not go ahead without an on-site power station to generate electricity and rejected claims there had been a lack of information.

“Over the course of the planning exercise, we did run six public exhibitions, two of which were at the Benarty Centre,” he said.

“With the liquidation of Fife Energy, a neighbouring landowner, it is even more important to get a concerted effort together to deal with the broader site, an effort that is in tune with local community interests.”

Although no one from Hargreaves was able to attend Monday’s public meeting to discuss the issue, Mr Cockburn said the company was keen to meet community representatives.

“Although it is not a requirement to set up a liaison meeting we are planning on establishing a specific liaison group to provide a forum to discuss Westfield,” he said.

“While there are always issues with any development, we are very open to working with local communities to make sure that any development is carried out in a way that takes notice of local concerns and objectives.”

Fife Council approved redevelopment plans in October to transform the 423-hectare Westfield site with units for light industry and a huge solar farm.

Hargreaves said around 1,000 construction jobs would be created over a 10-year period as the site is developed, with the completed complex sustaining around 1,500 full-time posts.

Local communities have set up an action group to scrutinise the plans and have called for more time to comment amid concerns about health and the environment.

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Trish and Kenneth Donaldson are concerned about the environmental impact of plans to develop the former opencast mine on their doorstep.