Title deed riddle won’t halt linen works project

DEVELOPMENT: Council’s CPO move in bid to progress plans for Dunfermline site

A compulsory purchase order has been sought to ensure the redevelopment of Dunfermline’s last remaining A-listed linen works can go ahead as planned.

The move follows mystery surrounding a missing title deed pertaining to land at 65 (west) Campbell Street.

The lost paperwork has held up plans for additional car parking to serve Byzantian Developments’ blueprint for 157 apartments at the former Pilmuir Works.

Four tenement blocks comprising 11 flats in Campbell Street were acquired and demolished by the council in the early 1970s.

However, a recent title check revealed no evidence relating to flat number 65 – which was previously owned by a woman named Margaret Szovil, who died in 1973.

Fife Council has had to promote a CPO to seize the land so the Byzantian project can go ahead in its entirety, although there is a risk that the late Mrs Szovil’s relatives may be able to claim compensation if they come forward.

The council and its predecessors have been in occupation of the vacant land since 1972 without challenge, and it is understood at least two heirs to Mrs Szovil’s estate have been contacted but are not title holders.

Solicitor Alison Marr told members of Fife’s assets and corporate services sub-committee the CPO had to be progressed as there is insufficient land to accommodate the required car parking on site.

“Although two successors have been traced, they are not the title holders, therefore a title cannot be obtained from them,” she said.

“They will be notified as interested parties and they may seek to complete title and claim compensation in the future.

“In that unlikely event, it is considered that the compensation due would not be significant.”

Planning permission for the redevelopment of Pilmuir Works has already been granted and it is hoped it will spark a transformation for the town centre.

The dilapidated factory was previously used by Dunlop and Duracord but has fallen into disrepair since closing in 2005.

The new-look “Linen Quarter” will boast 157 new apartments, shops, bars and takeaway restaurants.

An artist’s impression of how the former Pilmuir Works in Dunfermline will look after redevelopment.