HIGH demand for allotments in Aberdour could see 30 new spaces created by Fife Council.

Councillor David Barratt says the nine existing plots at St Colme Crescent "aren't great" but a new site behind the village's primary school would help shorten the waiting list.

He understands that there are currently 30 people waiting for a plot and that some of those already handed out may be re-assessed if they are not being used appropriately.

"I think we are always going to be trying to catch up with the demand so this is a step in the right direction and it's a case of identifying sites where it can be done and then identifying the money to deliver it," Cllr Barratt told the Press.

"In reality I think there will always be demand for more than the council is in a position to deliver but this will get us a lot closer to that.

"There is discussion that not all of them (at St. Colme Crescent) are being used as well as they could be so I will be discussing with the allotments manager to see whether everyone who currently holds one should be.

"The contract when you take out an allotment is fairly clear that if you don't use it you lose it so I will be following up to make sure that policy is being put in place.

"It is frustrating when people are on the waiting list they can see allotments that aren't really being used."

Fife Council will now look to assess the results of a survey conducted with those currently waiting for a space.

Allotments officer, Peter Duncan, said: "We've conducted a survey of the people on the waiting list to help us understand how much demand there is in Aberdour, along with other questions, such as what size of plot they would prefer.

"We are currently going through the responses to this survey and once we've done that, we'll consult the local community on the availability of spaces to develop a new allotment site in Aberdour"

Cllr Barratt added that there is similar demand across the ward, with plans in Inverkeithing for allotments on Spittalfield Crescent.