CONSULTATION on proposals for a major tourism and leisure development on the former Comrie Colliery site are to take place.

An online event next month followed by an in-person one in October are being held as part of the planning and community consultation process for proposed development which include leisure and tourism, employment, retail, retirement homes, residential, geothermal energy, open space, landscape works and paths.

The Comrie Development Company (CDC) has organised the sessions for a Proposal of Application Notice for the site to the north-west of Comrie which is adjacent to the A907.

The application submitted to Fife Council explained the site was occupied by the Comrie Colliery from 1939 until 1986.

"The structures associated with the colliery and coal carbonisation plant have been demolished," it stated. "The majority of the bing has been re-profiled over time and work has been recently carried out on the further removal of the bing, with the material being used to cap the ash lagoons at nearby Valleyfield.

"Despite the works to rehabilitate the colliery bing being carried out by various owners and operators over time, the site remains a significantly environmentally-degraded brownfield site.

"The proposals are at an early stage with CDC seeking to initiate further engagement and start a dialogue around the planning and master planning process."

The online consultation will take place from September 9 to 16 and can be visited at www.ironsidefarrar.com/comrie.html. This will include a series of boards which provide information on proposals.

The second event will provide further developed proposals and responding to issues raised previously. This is expected to be held online and in person on October 6 between 12-6.30pm at the Blairhall New Community Centre although the planning papers said availability was still to be confirmed.

It added: "There will be the opportunity to comment, raise issues and post notes or ask any questions through the online consultation room and at the in-person event.

"We aim to provide a response to comments made within two weeks of the end of each of the consultation events."