IT'S hoped that a historic lighthouse could be placed at Dalgety Bay before it's lost forever. 

Discussions have begun to erect the famous red and white Beamer Rock Beacon at St David's Harbour after years stuck in storage. 

The Stevenson-built structure stood in the Forth for 185 years before being removed in 2011 to make way for the new £1.6 billion Queensferry Crossing.

Now in storage in Rosyth, last year it was hoped the structure would serve as a First World War memorial and take up an elevated position at Ferryhills.

But the project failed to win the backing of North Queensferry Community Council, who said locals feared that it would worsen traffic problems in the area. 

Councillor David Barratt said there was potential for the beacon to be at St David's Harbour where there was already planning permission in place for a lighthouse and bistro. 

"There is a bit of history with the site there and with the lighthouse being in storage I have looked to see if it would be a possibility," he said. 

"We do not want to lose it and if it is in storage then it could go elsewhere. 

"It's interesting to know it was requested by Inverkeithing Town Council so I will pursue other local options.

"That could be Rosyth waterfront, Inverkeithing or Dalgety Bay so there are lots of options.

"The problem at the moment is that it costs the council so my fear is that if we don't find a local project somewhere it could leave the Forth or Fife entirely."

The Stevenson-built beacon was first erected on Beamer Rock in 1846 at the request of Inverkeithing Town Council. Although not listed, it is considered to be a nationally-important historic structure.

It would have been one of the places that Rosyth sailors passed on their way to the Battle of Jutland in 1916. 

It was dismantled and removed by Transport Scotland to facilitate the building of the Queensferry Crossing. The new bridge's middle tower now sits on top of the rock.

Developers Muir are currently building at St David's Harbour and it's hoped that this would make the rebuild of the structure viable. 

But discussions with the company are at a very early stage.

Cllr Barratt said: "It would be great if someone else would like to take this on from the local area but I think that the council would have to be confident that they had the funds and ability to do it. 

"We're certainly exploring at the moment."

Fife Council's chief planning officer, Pam Ewen, said: "We are currently involved in discussions to try and locate the Beamer Beacon at Dalgety Bay.”