CONCERNS have been raised over controversial plans which could see coal seams off the West Fife coast ignited and converted into gas.

Cluff Natural Resources has been granted a licence by the Coal Authority to carry out deep Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) in the Forth, covering a 3687-hectare site which includes the coastline from Kincardine to Crombie Point.

UCG involves drilling boreholes into the coal and injecting oxidants, which causes the coal to partially burn, producing synthetic gas which is brought to the surface.

The process has been said to be associated with groundwater contamination and carbon emissions and now West Fife Villages councillor Willie Ferguson has questioned the potential impact it could have on the area.

He said, "There are so many mine workings in the area - this could disturb ground conditions.

"We've had concerns about sinkholes, floodings, cave-ins and subsidence in Kincardine.

"We're also worried about the quality of air, discharges of toxic chemicals and how they're going to dispose of any run-off.

"And what would the visual impact be? Kincardine is the gateway to Fife and we've just got rid of the high-rise flats.

"What job opportunities does this offer - it's a very specialist kind of work.

"We don't know enough about it - they would need to hold public meetings and inform people what's going on.

"It's like putting the cart before the horse - communities are not aware of the licences and we'll have to look very carefully when an application comes up." Friends of the Earth Scotland also have reservations about UCG.

Director Dr Richard Dixon said, "Scotland is blessed with huge natural resources in wind, wave and tidal power and we should concentrate on developing these industries instead of wasting time with new and potentially dangerous methods of extracting more gas like coal bed methane, fracking and this proposal for underground coal gasification.

"We also share the local concerns about the possible release of toxic chemicals from this process." Cluff Natural Resources also holds a UCG licence for a 7796-hectare site at Largo Bay, and founder Algy Cluff will meet Scotland's energy minister, Fergus Ewing, next week to discuss the proposals.

Mr Cluff told the Press, "There's a lot of work to do in the context of the seismic and scientific work and approval we need to secure from the planning authorities and meeting the local communities.

"That process is likely to take two or three years, I would think.

"Now that we have the licences the first thing we will do is talk to the local communities and we expect that by the end of September we will be meeting the communities at whatever level they wish." Fife Council confirmed no recent approaches had been made in regard to Kincardine but Keith Winter, executive director for environment, enterprise and communities, said, "The council is currently considering the role that it may have in terms of regulation or licensing should proposals be developed and planning and environmental applications/permits requested.

"As this could be a large-scale development with a potentially significant impact on the local area, we will meet with Cluff Natural Resources plc to discuss their proposals."