THE Scottish Government is being urged not to list two rusting hulks in Dunfermline's Grange Road.

The gas storage tanks were B-listed by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) at the end of last year, however, a group of West Fife politicians have backed owners SGN's appeal for the decision to be reversed.

Back in September, the Press reported Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman's fears that a decision to list the tanks would create a "significant barrier" to the area's regeneration.

Mr Chapman had said that while he could see the value in retaining historically-important industrial buildings, keeping "a rusting, useless gas storage tank" for historical reasons seemed a step too far.

After carrying out a lengthy review, HES decided to list the gas holders, which were decommissioned in 2011, as they were deemed to be a "striking example of historic industrial infrastructure" and were among a very small number of surviving structures of their type and date in Scotland.

Now, councillors Alan Craig, Jim Leishman, Garry Haldane and Helen Law have written to the DPEA (the Planning and Environmental Appeals Department) to express their views that the tanks should be removed.

The letter said the difficulty of finding a new use "should not be underestimated" if the listing was to proceed.

It stated: "The retention of the gas holder structures and redevelopment and regeneration initiatives and opportunities not only of the SGN site itself, but also detract from a major housing expansion proposal to the south of the site.

"At some point in the next five years the gas holder frames will need to be repainted, which means they will need to be fully scaffolded, shot blast and repainted (estimated cost £300,000).

"If the listing of the above-ground spiral gas holder remains (as proposed by HES), then the costs of maintenance could triple. It will also be very difficult to de-water, de-sludge and remove the inner lift structures without affecting the integrity of the outer tank which is currently listed."

Cllr Craig said: “The retention of the gas holder structures is detracting from potential redevelopment and regeneration initiatives on this brownfield site. They are an eyesore, which serves to bring no benefit to the local area.”

Cllr Haldane said the removal of the structures would "greatly benefit" the community.

He added: “Where the structures stand are an eyesore, especially for the residents at the Izatt Avenue estate opposite who look out to this site and pass every day on their way to the town centre by foot.”

Mr Chapman has also backed the latest efforts to get rid of the tanks.

“The listing of the gas holders can only be of detriment to this area of Dunfermline at a time when Fife Council are looking to increase employment and residential opportunities," he said.

“The gas holders, as they stand at Grange Road, provide no significant purpose and it is illogical to continue to maintain these, as they have both a negative environmental and economic impact on the locality.”

Dan Brown, a spokesperson for SGN, confirmed they were appealing HES' decision.

"Our gas holders in Dunfermline are no longer in use," he explained. "It’s not sustainable for us to keep these redundant structures in a safe and visually-acceptable condition long-term. We’re also committed to redeveloping the land they sit on for use that’s more beneficial to the local community, such as housing and business premises."