CAMPAIGNERS are putting pressure on Fife Council to prevent the former Inverkeithing Primary School being demolished.

Plans have been lodged by Allanwater Developments Ltd to build 28 affordable homes at the Roods Road site, but they want to knock down the two category C-listed buildings, stating it’s the only way to make housebuilding viable.

A group of Inverkeithing residents have joined a Fife-based housing charity in arguing that the old school, parts of which are over 140 years old, could have an alternative future.

The Viviarium Trust want the buildings converted into a community-led housing development, specifically created for elderly people, and believe this fits in with the council’s regeneration plans for the town.

Trust chair Andrew Prendergast said: “Scotland needs innovative housing solutions that enable older people to live independently in a mutually supportive environment. The old primary school at Inverkeithing has tremendous potential to fulfil that role.”

Historic Environment Scotland (HES), a statutory consultee in any planning proposal concerning a listed building, have objected to the demolition. The council will therefore have to notify Scottish ministers if they are minded to grant consent.

A spokesperson for HES said: “We objected because we consider that the building makes a positive contribution to the local historic environment, that it is capable of re-use, and that the case for demolition had not been made. We have made it known that we are happy to meet with the applicants to discuss potential options for the building’s future.”

Allanwater have agreed to buy the site if planning permission is granted and a spokesperson for the firm said: “If the sale goes through it will be on the basis that Allanwater gain consent to demolish and erect 28 affordable homes for Kingdom Housing Association. These homes will assist Fife Council in re-housing local families.

“Allanwater has confirmed in writing that they are willing to retain and use key stonework from the demolition within the new development.

“Vivarium have not made any approach to Adrail, Allanwater or Kingdom with regard to this site and have not submitted any objection to the current application. Neither have they displayed any proposals for the re-use of the buildings, nor demonstrated the ability to fund the proposals. We are unaware of them having delivered any development within their 10 years existence.”

A spokesperson for Kingdom Housing added: “Any agreement would of course be dependent on the developer securing all necessary approvals, which would include appropriate consultation through the planning process.”

The site was initially put up for sale by the council with a guide price of £425,000-£475,000. It was bought for an undisclosed sum at auction in 2008. Adrail got the go-ahead to convert the buildings into 42 flats in 2013.

The single-storey junior primary dates from 1874 and the two-storey senior primary was completed in 1913.