THE future looks bright in Inverkeithing with people full of ideas to make their town great.

Imagine Inverkeithing, a community led consultation, has captured locals aspirations from the practical and ambitious to the weird and wonderful.

Suggestions include an activity centre at Prestonhill Quarry, an outdoor swimming pool and a cinema, as well as improved access to the beach, better tourist information, parking permits and a new supermarket.

Ruth Lockier, an Inverkeithing resident, said: “The Imagine Inverkeithing initiative is probably the first consultation I’ve seen where every generation in the town has had their say.

“The community momentum has grown and I think it’s also brought us more together. However, there’s lot of hard work to be done!

“The mix of momentum, interest and variety of ideas has been fantastic.

“There has been a fundamental shift in the town and our master plan will hopefully give developers an idea of the sort of thing we want to see.

“This is my home and I want to future proof it for my children and my community.”

The suggestions have been put forward as initiatives that could bring quick wins for the area and participants have been assured their ideas won’t just be buried in a document never to be seen again.

It's hoped that a community trust will be established so they can apply for funding and get the projects off the ground.

Councillor David Barratt said: “You get the sense that this is going to be a big deal for this area.

“If a community trust is set up then they can take control of what’s going on in their town.

“Fife Council have seen a lot of success in other areas of the Kingdom with these sorts of groups.

“There are a lot of passionate groups in Inverkeithing, but we need to try and bring them together.

“I think what’s happening is very positive and everyone has had the chance to say what they think.

“It’s clear Inverkeithing is full of imaginative and enthusiastic people and it will be interesting to see what it will look like in five to 10 years’ time.”

Acorn, the company carrying out the consultation, are expected to feed back the results of their workshops in Autumn.

After that the community will be expected to take ownership of the findings and drive the suggested projects forward.

The Scottish Government want to see more towns like Inverkeithing following suit as part of a revamp in planning.

The idea is that communities would get more say on what their areas should look like – a handy tool when assessing the need for future developments.

Fife Council officers have also been taking note of the methods Acorn have used and are expected to carry out similar consultations throughout the Kingdom.

A public meeting with the intention of setting up a steering group will take place on August 21 at 7pm at Inverkeithing Civic Centre.

In time it’s hoped the group will set up a community trust which will have a board of directors.

More information can be found here www.facebook.com/imagineinverkeithing/