THE site of the former Kincardine Power Station could be given a new lease of life as owners committed to putting it on the market this year.

The assurances from ScottishPower were given to MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville at a recent meeting with company representatives.

Following the power station’s demolition in 2001, the site was used as a training base for firefighters, according to the company.

The SNP MSP for Dunfermline and West Fife said: “It’s welcome news that the Kincardine Power Station site will finally made available for sale.

“After lying vacant for so long, it’s about time that it was put to use.

“The sale opens up huge opportunities for the community in terms of stimulating the economy and creating jobs. I’m excited to see what the future holds for the site.

“Areas of land like the former Kincardine Power Station site hold enormous potential for development and regeneration in South West Fife.

“That’s why I’ve been pressing ScottishPower to make sure that sites like this are not left vacant.”

The politician said she would keep pressing the company on other sites including Longannet Power Station, where decommissioning works are currently taking place.

Then there is the controversial Valleyfield Ash Lagoons, which contains waste from the former station.

While the MSP said the site was vacant, a ScottishPower spokesperson told the Advertiser: “The Kincardine Power Station site has been well used over the years, which has included providing an important training base for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“As part of our long-term property management plans, we are looking to initiate a sales process in the near future.

"We will keep the community up to date as this process develops.”

Work is already ongoing to help regenerate Kincardine and mitigate the economic fallout from the closure of the coal-fired Longannet turbines.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust had been working closely with communities and last year bought the former Clydesdale Bank building on Kirk Street.

In partnership with Fife Council and with the backing of the Scottish Government and the Longannet Task Force, it is being transformed into a £500,000 state-of-the-art enterprise and training hub.

A key priority will be to stimulate the local community by providing a range of groups and individuals access to a unique facility.