By Bruce Fegen

AN AMBITIOUS project which could eventually lead to up to 1000 jobs being created in the Levenmouth area and £250 million invested in the local economy is being proposed by one of Fife’s leading developers.

The Inverkeithing-based Muir Group is finalising an initial residential development at Castlefleurie on the outskirts of Leven but revealed yesterday that they now want to expand into the much larger site next door.

It lies alongside the main A915 arterial road to the East Neuk and, says the company, developing it would encourage more people to live and work in the Levenmouth area which is often overlooked for investment.

Muir believe their proposal could spell economic and social regeneration for the Levenmouth area through the creation of 800-1000 jobs and investment of £250 million locally over 25 years.

Over 1250 new homes could be in the pipeline, at least a quarter of which would be affordable housing, along with retail premises, tourism projects, healthcare facilities, education accommodation, community benefits and business space.

The firm believes that their proposal would offer Leven an opportunity to benefit from its proximity to the East Neuk and its buoyant tourism market.

The Muir Group have already been promoting their ‘gateway’ concept to Fife Council planners and now want to explain their proposals to the local community to make them aware of the full extent of what is on offer.

The company say they are keen to develop their proposals in tandem with existing local initiatives such as the Leven Valley Trust.

John Muir, founder and chairman of the family-run firm, said, “Our proposals are at the concept stage at present and we are actively promoting their selection for the Kirkcaldy and Mid Fife local plan.

“The overarching concept is that Leven is in a prime position to enjoy the tourism and other investment opportunities which currently bypass the town and instead feed into the villages further up in the East Neuk.

“Our development would mean retention of some of that prosperity for the town of Leven.

“Importantly, our proposals are singular in that they would mean investment in the strategic infrastructure of the area, particularly road improvements and potentially supporting the campaign to re-establish the rail link to Leven.”

Mr Muir said Castlefleurie is a new concept of living with leisure and open green spaces, woodlands and riverside, sports and healthcare, employment and recreation, public transport and through routes.

He continued, “The proposed development, which has an ideal strategic location for job creation, housing and transport network improvements, would mean expansion of this plus the creation of more community facilities and potentially a caravan park, hotel and park-and-ride amongst other benefits.

“The plans also include woodland buffers to avoid any unintended merging with neigh- bouring villages and to ensure the benefits of this development to the town of Leven itself are maximised.”

Consideration of which areas of land will be selected for future development within the Kirkcaldy and Mid Fife local plan will be considered by Fife Council in the coming months.

In tandem with this, the Muir Group will be launching a major public consultation initiative with local residents, stakeholders and businesses to discuss how best to regenerate Levenmouth and to take forward the company’s proposals to make Leven the gateway to the East Neuk of Fife.

The consultation will begin towards the end of this month and all local residents will be encouraged to have their say on the plans.