Thousands of jobs in pipeline after energy park gets go-ahead

Around 2,500 posts could be created at former mining site

Thousands of jobs could be coming to Fife after councillors granted planning permission in principle for a major new industrial hub.

Members of the region’s central area planning committee have approved plans for a new energy park and industrial estate at the site of the former Westfield open cast mine.

In the region of 2,500 posts could be created by plans submitted by Durhambased Hargreaves Services, which would transform the 423-hectare site and potentially see the reactivation of a disused rail line, though councillors were told no guarantees could be offered at such an early stage in the process.

Of one of the largest industrial developments proposed for Fife in years, committee chairman Neil Crooks said: “The potential presented is significant.

“When you’re on site and have seen what can be done then this is something we should be really excited about.”

The Westfield site has lain dormant since 1998 having previously been mined for more than 40 years.

Hargreaves predicts that its regeneration plans could create around 1,000 construction jobs over a 10-year period, with the completed complex sustaining around 1,500 full-time posts.

Plans include a solar energy park and other energy-related work, waste recovery and recycling unit, light industrial units and greenhouses.

The approval was granted despite some protestation from Perth and Kinross Council, which did not object to the plans but voiced “serious concerns” about the development’s impact on local communities, facilities and infrastructure.

However, a £100,000 legal agreement relating to maintenance on the B9097 road near Loch Leven is to be established, a subject of much discussion at yesterday’s meeting.

Concerned about the potential impact on the local roads, Councillor Ross Vettraino questioned the figure proposed by transportation officers.

“It should be £100,000 a year I would think, but I’m no road engineer,” he said.

“Perth and Kinross might be happy with that but the people living around this development and who use these roads will not be happy at being bounced about by potholes caused by 40-tonners.

“I feel we have a responsibility here.”

Picture: Wullie Marr. Plans to turn the former Westfield open cast mine into an energy park and industrial hub have won approval.

Councillor Neil Crooks hailed the potential of the development.