THE impact of new housing, a £220 million education campus and a drive-thru Stephens bakery, and even a shortage of Christmas lights, will all be in the in-tray if residents in Halbeath and Duloch decide to re-establish the community council.

The group has not officially run in more than two years and locals are now moving to bring it back, with a number of issues affecting the village likely to be on their agenda.

Locals met last week to discuss starting it up again with hopes of applying for formal recognition after a second meeting next month.

Spokesperson Amy Woodgate said: "The plan was for the first meeting to kick off ideas of what people want to happen and to see if enthusiasm is wider spread.

“We are a busy area with a lot going on, we are trying to work out if there is a need, having people in the room together was very well received.”

Amongst issues brought up at the meeting were concerns over the impact of the new Dunfermline Learning Campus on the area and the building of a drive-thru Stephens at the old Fod Arms, latterly known as Hotel Roma.

Regarding the campus, which will be home to two high schools and Fife College, Amy said residents were mainly worried about anti-social behaviour and littering in Calais Woods.

Also in attendance was newly elected councillor Naz Anis-Miah, who looked around the area with Jude Ray, a member of the Calais Woods Wombles, a group who dedicate time to managing the main pathways, and police liaison Rob Menzies.

“We took a look around and went through dens where people had been drinking and the police showed us how they had been dealing with it.

“Jude had been putting out bin bags which he said had been working. It was just about trying to get a picture of what is going on, no one has a magic wand, it is about little wins, we will be thinking about how kids are walking to the campus.”

Plans for a new drive-thru Stephens were also discussed.

The Press reported in March that the bakery franchise were looking to challenge Greggs by opening a store just yards away from their shop in Halbeath.

This would involve demolishing the old building, which has been left derelict for more than 15 years.

SNP councillor Jean Hall Muir was also at the meeting and noted: “It wasn’t that members were objecting to the food business, but they were asking why residents don’t get a say and suggested different things.”

She called the building an “eyesore”, while Cllr Anis-Miah said that “regeneration is a good thing”.

“People would like to see the corner more lit up and vibrant,” he added. “There was a lot of different opinions about what the community need. I was impressed by their knowledge – it was all really positive.”

The next meeting is at Carnegie Primary on June 13, where Amy hopes to discuss plans to officially reinstate the community council.