Skip Navigation,Sitemap

Dunfermline Press

Hundreds of homes planned for ex-Hyundai site

Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 26 Aug 2011 09:00 Print Comments 21 Comments

Jump to first paragraph.

Share this Facebook Twitter Google Buzz Delicious DIGG Reddit Stumbleupon Email RSS

click to enlarge

A MAJOR part of the former Hyundai site has been earmarked for housing by new owners Shepherd Offshore with their draft masterplans revealing the possibility of more than 400 homes being built there.

The finalised proposals, to be submitted next month, will see the 150-acre site split between industrial, housing, education and retail use.

There are hopes by the developers that Carnegie College, where a relocation is currently being considered, will move into a designated 10-acre education campus.

Local MP Thomas Docherty, a supporter of the project, would also like to see a high school re-locate there eventually.

More than 220 members of the public visited a public exhibition to display potential masterplan options at the Carnegie Conference Centre on Friday and Saturday.

Up to 40 acres of land will be allocated to housing which could equate to between 400 and 500 homes.

That has raised eyebrows locally with one senior councillor telling the Press, "None of us thought we would be looking at housing on that scale. It would have a major impact on the area in terms of education provision for one thing."

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker had spoken out against any housing on the site but backtracked after a meeting with company bosses Freddie and Bruce Shepherd, who want to create a hub for the renewables sector bringing thousands of jobs.

The developers hope to have planning permission by next March and the first permanent jobs could be created by this time next year.

In one of the four options outlined, the split is 48 acres of business and industrial use and a 40-acre residential area.

Another option sees much more emphasis on industry with 62 acres allocated compared to 25 acres for housing.

There is a three-acre retail area in all four options, located in the north west corner of the site, which has been lying vacant since it was built, dominated by the empty factory building.

That building is now in the process of being demolished, with Shepherd Offshore hoping to have cleared the site by the end of this year.

The existing three-storey office block has now been fitted out and finished. It is hoped that it will form the 'anchor' for a potential new research and development hub.

In all of the masterplan options, much of the existing landscaping on the east and west sides of the site are kept and integrated into the existing Calais Muir Woods and Duloch Park.

The exhibition was a second round of public consultation held by Shepherd Offshore in order to get feedback and suggestions from the community before submitting a planning application to Fife Council.

Members of the development team were on hand over the weekend to explain the options and answer questions. Feedback was collected on each of the four options which will be analysed to inform the final blueprint.

Andy Williamson, Shepherd Offshore's business development director, said, "It's been fantastic to have this level of interest from the community for the second event in a row.

"We are working hard to take on board all of the comments we have received over the weekend and are excited to present our final masterplan to the council as soon as possible.

"It is clear that the community and their elected representatives are keen to participate in the big debate about attracting jobs and investment to Fife."

He added, "We're here for the long-term. The (Shepherd) brothers are traditional-type businessmen who like to own things and see projects working.

"We're working very positively with the council and we've had good feedback from the local community."

Each suggestion for the entire site proposed by the public at the previous consultation meeting in June received a response regarding commercial viability.

It was 'no' to a football stadium, prison, ice rink, climbing centre, restaurant, music rehearsal space, casino/pub or a snow centre.

Possibilities include a nursery, an art college, youth drop-in centre and allotments.

A leisure centre and sport facilities got the thumbs-up as possible uses and hotels are another feasible suggestion.

It is obvious from the comments on the plans that the developers believe that the more housing space the better in terms of making the overall project work.

With 40 acres of housing: "It has maximum residential use to help cross-fund and deliver the maximum other uses." With the options which had residential down to 30 and 25 acres: "The residential component is smaller whilst the business industrial component is larger. The market conditions would not enable the quick delivery of the site and size of this component is questionable."

Carnegie College principle Geoff Fenlon, who attended the consultation event, said, "This is an exciting time for Dunfermline with several development opportunities that will support the continued regeneration of the area.

"At Carnegie College we very much see ourselves as the educational hub for the area, providing access to education and skills for all levels, from school leavers to degree courses through to those seeking to re-train as their industry develops or are seeking a new career direction.

"As such we are always looking to what is best for our learners and customers.

"We can confirm that we are at present considering several options regarding a possible relocation from our current campus.

"However, no decision about a move, if any, has been made."

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Post a comment

Registered users log in here

You must be logged in to post. If you have not registered with us, please do so now.

Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users do not have to complete word verification once logged in and can also take part in competitions and other registered user only features of the site.


Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Vote

Dunfermline Press Poll

Do you think Dunfermline Delivers does a good job for Dunfermline?



Most Read

  1. BREAKING NEWS: Reports of major incident in Dalgety Bay
  2. DALGETY BAY ACCIDENT UPDATE: Woman dies
  3. DALGETY BAY ACCIDENT UPDATE: Police appeal for witnesses after woman dies
  4. DALGETY BAY ACCIDENT UPDATE: Road screened from view
  5. Developer offers £1 for £174,000 Dunfermline site
  6. 'Eyesore' scaffolding leaves Dunfermline tourist hopes up in the air

» View More Stories

You may have missed

Hot Jobs

Your social, local Business Directory - It's in Dunfermline • It's in The Directory • Directory Network

Copyright ©2013 Forth Weekly Press, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline, Fife, KY11 8QS • Tel: 01383 747500 • Fax: 01383 737040

Login     RSS Feeds FacebooK Twitter

close XCookies

We use cookies to enhance the use of our site - please see here for our Privacy and Cookie policy.