Dismay over college’s out-of-town plan

Dunfermline: Warning that chance to regenerate town centre would be lost for a generation

It seems they are determined to steamroll ahead with what has always been their preferred option. CARA HILTON

The chance to re generate Dunfermline’ s town centre would be lost for a generation if Fife College presses ahead with its plan to build a new out-of-town campus, it has been warned.

Despite a concerted campaign to woo the college into the heart of Dunfermline, it has announced it favours building its new £90 million base, to replace the existing Halbeath campus, at the former Hyundai site.

The news has come as a bitter pill to those on all sides of the political spectrum who came together to put the case for a central site which would not only revitalise the town centre but would, they argued, provide much better access for students.

Dunfermline SNP MP Douglas Chapman said: “My initial reaction is one of disappointment as we had considered a town centre location for the college as being an opportunity for central Dunfermline and its future prosperity.”

He added Fife College must now get down to delivering the project without further delay to boost the west Fife economy.

“The focus needs to be on serving the future training and skills needs of the local economy and our people who need to be supported into their chosen career path.”

“Frustrating” was how Dunfermline Labour MSP Cara Hilton summed up the announcement, saying the decision went against a strong tide of support for a town centre plan.

“It seems they are determined to steamroll ahead with what has always been their preferred option, regardless of what is in the best interests of Dunfermline and the west Fife villages.”

Claiming local shops and cafes were “awash” with supportive posters, she accused the board of showing little regard for the strength of public feeling.

She argued the out-of-town campus would see the best chance of bringing back vibrancy to the High Street lost for a generation.

That was echoed by City of Dunfermline committee chairwoman Helen Law who said she was very disappointed at the decision.

She feared the college had not properly examined an alternative split-site town centre campus in its entirety.