Airport in london could bring new life to industrial sites locally

The former Longannet power station could get a new lease of life as a major logistics hub – thanks to an airport 550 miles away.

The Scottish-Power-owned site at Kincardine is one of four in Fife on a shortlist for the role to support the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

The old Westfield opencast coal mine owned by Hargreaves is also being considered, along with the Port of Rosyth and Port Babcock, also at Rosyth.

Heathrow’s expansion is the first major infrastructure project in the UK to pioneer the largescale use of logistics hubs and aims to create jobs in every corner of the country.

The hubs will work by pre-assembling components off-site before transporting them to Heathrow when needed.

Fife is regarded as an ideal location due to its transport links and infrastructure.

A team from Heathrow will visit the sites, along with 60 others across the UK, before making a decision.

Scotland is the only area of the UK guaranteed a logistics hub as part of a commitment made by Heathrow to the Scottish Government, with 10 Scottish sites on the shortlist.

The Heathrow team has started its Scottish tour and once it has visited all 65 sites across the UK, each landowner will be invited to make a detailed submission.

These will be assessed on suitability, efficiency and accessibility credentials.

The opportunity presented by the new hubs has been welcomed by Fife Council. Gordon Mole, senior manager for business and employability, said there was cause for optimism in the region.

“Fife is in an unrivalled position having four out of 10 Scottish sites in contention for this investment and we look forward to making a strong case,” he said.

Mr Mole said it would build on Fife’s key role in recent major infrastructure schemes, such as the Queensferry Crossing.

“The Fife sites offer excellent transport links, great infrastructure and competitive land, along with a strong and innovative supply chain of local companies,” he added.