WALLS that once prevented convicts from escaping Dunfermline's prison have been brought down to size for housing development.

Ian Johnston complained to the Press that part of the city's heritage - the jail on Leys Park Road opened back in 1845 - was being diminished and questioned why Fife Council had allowed it to happen.

First Endeavour LLP were granted permission for an affordable homes development, with 15 three-storey townhouses and 30 flats, at the local authority's old depot and Amerio Homes got the go-ahead for three more houses on an adjacent site.

However, Mr Johnston said: "The old Dunfermline Prison has had its last remaining walls reduced in height from over 20 feet high to about 1500mm high with permission for access ways to be formed through the reduced height wall.

Dunfermline Press: The old wall of Dunfermline Prison, which was 20 feet high, has been cut down to size. The old wall of Dunfermline Prison, which was 20 feet high, has been cut down to size. (Image: Ian Johnston)

"The work was carried out by contractors building new houses in the old Fife Council yard that was sold to them a few years back."

He added: "It appears these walls were classified as ancient and not listed.

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"The council have an archaeologist so I find this difficult to understand what has been considered to allow the all but full demolition of the walls, which are extensive."

In April the name of the council's affordable homes development was named Law Wynd due to the site's former use as the city's prison.

The suggestion of Law Court was ruled out as it could have "confused" the emergency services.

Dunfermline Press: The old Dunfermline Prison, on Leys Park Road, which opened in 1845 and was demolished in 1981.The old Dunfermline Prison, on Leys Park Road, which opened in 1845 and was demolished in 1981. (Image: Newsquest)

The City of Dunfermline area committee was told: “Bellyeoman Community Council favoured a name that reflects the historic nature of this site.

"It is surrounded on three sides by the old walls of the former city prison of many years ago."

Councillors agreed the name and a report to the committee added: "The proposed street name for this development commemorates the heritage of the site, meeting criteria set out in street naming policy."

Despite the nod to Dunfermline's prison past, Mr Johnston complained that didn't extend to keeping the last remnants of it intact.

A council spokesperson said they had checked with the planning service who have "confirmed that the planning consent didn't require the walls to be retained because they're not listed and not located within a conservation area".

Built at a cost of £2,070, the jail opened in January 1845 and housed 262 prisoners in its first year.

Dunfermline Press: An extract from the Press of February 1981, when demolition of the Dunfermline Prison began. An extract from the Press of February 1981, when demolition of the Dunfermline Prison began. (Image: Newsquest)

Located on a two acre site and surrounded by high walls, the prison had three floors with six cells on each floor.

As well as the 18 'criminal' cells - 12 for men and six for women - there were two 'commodious' cells, with fireplaces, for civil prisoners and three apartments for the jailer and matron.

The prison closed in October 1950 and was demolished in February 1981.