WEST FIFE’S councillors and politicians have joined forces to try to convince Fife College’s board to build a new campus in Dunfermline city centre.

And they’re being backed in their call by Dunfermline Delivers – the city’s Business Improvement District (BID) company – which says three national retailers have indicated they would move to the centre if the college relocates there.

Supporters of the campaign believe the move could transform Dunfermline’s centre and breathe new life into the area, with an influx of up to 3000 students helping to boost local businesses.

The plans to move from the current site at Halbeath have been debated for years, even before the then Carnegie College became part of a Fife-wide organisation.

Since that merger, college principal Hugh Logan has been tight-lipped about the future location of further education in Dunfermline.

However, politicians have been told that a decision is imminent and are now pushing for a city-centre campus – with possible locations including the former Dunlop/Duracord factory site in Pilmuir Street and a council-owned car park in Leys Park Road.

Councillor Helen Law, chair of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said, “It’s absolutely clear that the people of Dunfermline and the West Fife villages want a college in the centre of Dunfermline.

“I believe a decision will be made shortly and this is a last-ditch attempt to make the college board fully aware of the strength of local opinion.

“It’s a disadvantage to young people living out in the villages, some of our poorest communities, to have to get on two buses and pay two bus fares each way every day. We should have a central location that is accessible to everybody.

“If this is the democratic will of those elected to represent the area we shouldn’t be at the mercy of other people’s judgement.

“The college coming into the town centre is really important for Dunfermline’s future and for businesses here.” Dunfermline MP Douglas Chapman said having the college in the centre could make a “phenomenal” difference in regenerating the area.

“It would mean getting another 2000 or so people into the town centre each day, increasing the footfall, increasing the vibrancy of the place,” he said.

“There is a clear consensus that the college should come into the town. I’m not saying it should be on site X or site Y, that’s a matter for the board, but they need to realise we’re speaking together on this issue.

“We’re relying on Fife College making the right decision for Dunfermline.

“We’re keen to have an active and vibrant town centre and to have the college located here would be a great asset and I’m sure all the businesses would benefit.” Dunfermline MSP Cara Hilton said Dunfermline had “huge potential” and that it was “time for us to be much more ambitious about Scotland’s ancient capital”.

She added, “I have always firmly believed that our town centre should be a place in which people live, work and have fun, rather than just visit, and having Fife College based in the heart of Dunfermline fits that ethos.

“The footfall from thousands of college students and staff would make our own town centre more vibrant day and night and would be a major boost to the existing shops and cafes on our High Street and help attract more businesses to locate in the town.

“We have already seen major investment by Fife Council in town-centre projects such as free wi-fi, the floodlighting of iconic buildings and the recent opening of the Fire Station Creative and the relocation of Fife College into Dunfermline town centre should be the next stage of our historic town centre’s regeneration.” Dunfermline Delivers chair Bill Fletcher called it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reverse the town centre’s fortunes.

“It’s the strongly-held belief of the whole board and levy-payers that we make every effort to secure this,” he said.

“It would also help the town attract more live entertainment as promoters always ask if there is a student base.”