SIX major projects have been identified to boost Dunfermline following meetings in April.

Design Dunfermline 2018 saw more than 400 people attend a four-day event aimed at breathing new life into the town centre.

Now a report has identified projects to move forward within the short to long term.

They include: 

* Re-opening Abbot House as a cultural hub, restaurant, cafe and venue in Autumn 2019. Plans have already been developed to refurbish the historical building and £420,000 has been secured to make this happen. 

* A Co-Lab centre where small businesses, students, freelancers and other organisations can share work space and ideas. A feasibility study for this innovation centre will go ahead, identifying an appropriate building for the enterprise, defining the layout and setting out the business case. 

* St Margaret's House as tourist hostel accommodation. Funds have been secured to review hostel accommodation in the town, define a layout and set out the business case. 

* A covered outdoor area that could host events and markets in all weathers. Potential areas to have been discussed include the 'gap site' on the High Street or turning Bruce Street into a pedestrianised area similar to Ashton Lane in Glasgow. Dunfermline Delivers say they will investigate this by consulting with the local community and businesses. 

* Making the town centre accessible for all ages and abilities. Some activities have already been done to progress this such as the playpark in the Glen and registering businesses as dementia-friendly but a plan would need to be developed to take this further. 
* An electric bus circuit between the bus station, train station and park and ride facilities. This project would need transport and community groups to develop this idea. 

Fife Pilgrims Way, which is routed through the town centre and is due to open in March is also expected to attract more tourists to Dunfermline. 

Derek Bottom, chair of Dunfermline Heritage Partnership, said: "This was the first initiative in a three-year programme of events, funded by HLF Great Places Scheme, which seeks to encourage people living in Dunfermline to find out about the heritage in Dunfermline and inspire everyone to get involved in shaping the town's future. 

"We were overwhelmed by such positive involvement so early in the programme. I would like to thank the people of Dunfermline for their contribution and commitment to their town centre."

The report claims Design Dunfermline 2018 was one of the best-supported charrette events in Scotland. Similar events have run in other parts of Scotland and resulted in local community groups securing funding from government, trusts and the private sector to progress capital projects so community contribution is vital. 

Councillor Helen Law, convener of Fife Council's Dunfermline area committee, said: "This was a community-led event and Fife Council will continue to support the projects emerging from the report as much as possible. 

"Staff and councillors made significant contributions during the event and it is already informing initiatives to be included within the Dunfermline Area Community Plan and will be tied in with Dunfermline’s Development Framework.”

The idea of a covered area in a pedestrianised Bruce Street as been put forward to as a nomination for the The Future Town Design competition. You can vote for Dunfermline at www.scotlandstowns.org/future_town_design_comp_2018.