WEST Fife villages affected by clouds of ash from the former Longannet Power Station are to receive a £100,000 windfall.

Between April 11 and May 5, 2017 dust from the lagoons at Low Valleyfield was blown into local communities, covering homes, businesses and cars and prompting a school to keep pupils indoors amid fears for their health.

It was a breach of Scottish Power's permit and an offence under pollution prevention and control regulations and they have now pledged the ash cash for environmental improvements in the area.

Willie Ferguson, chair of the Valleyfield Liaison Committee, said: “This gesture of goodwill will help Valleyfield communities realise projects that will make a real, tangible difference to our local environment.

"We’ve worked closely with the team at Longannet for a number of years now and through their continued support we’ve been able to open up this funding stream to ensure that the money will go towards projects that our communities believe in.”

The community councils of Low Valleyfield, High Valleyfield, Torryburn and Newmills, Culross and Kincardine will each receive £10,000 for environmental improvements, renewable energy or energy efficiency projects.

A further £50,000 will be held by Fife Council to provide money for similar schemes to benefit affected communities.

Lisa Moir, the company's site lead at Longannet, said: “We’re committed to bringing about a better future and part of this work is supporting and enabling communities to deliver projects that will facilitate their own green ambitions.

"We’re pleased this gesture of goodwill is being directed to support environmental initiatives within the Valleyfield communities and hope these projects will leave lasting legacies for years to come.”

A by-product of the coal burned at Longannet, the ash was mixed with water, transported and deposited in the lagoons at Low Valleyfield.

The power station closed in 2016 and, the following year, dust from the lagoons was carried on the wind and settled on nearby villages.

The £100,000 has been provided by Scottish Power Generation (Assets) Limited (SPGAL)following discussions with environmental regulator the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

It took ownership of the ash lagoons in 2019 from former operator Scottish Power Generation Limited, who owned the lagoons when the incident took place.

SEPA served enforcement notices, which were complied with, and the environment watchdog continued to consider whether any additional enforcement action was appropriate.

This led to the voluntary gesture of goodwill from SPGAL.

Ian Buchanan, chief officer of compliance at SEPA, said: “We are pleased to see this action being taken for the environment and the communities surrounding the former Longannet Power Station.

“SPGAL has voluntarily engaged in ongoing dialogue with SEPA on resolution action to provide funding for environmental improvements, benefitting the lives of those living in the impacted areas, providing a positive outcome.”

In recognition of this gesture, no further enforcement action will be taken.

Alastair Mutch, from Fife Council, said: “The money will be added to a participatory budgeting fund that SPGAL have previously contributed to, with these latest funds supporting local communities to fund projects and initiatives that will protect the environment and reduce the impacts of climate change.

"I'm confident the funding will be beneficial for the targeted communities and used in a positive way.”