West Fife communities have been awarded a £300,000 grant to help boost the economy following the closure of Longannet Power Station.
The sum, from the UK Government funded Coastal Communities Fund, will be used to make improvements to Kincardine town centre, attract businesses to the area and boost tourism.
Investment will be focused on the Kincardine, Culross, Valleyfield, Newmills and Torryburn areas.
Altany Craik, convener of Fife Council’s Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning and Transportation Committee, said: “We are delighted to receive this funding that will further support us to make Fife a great place to live, work, visit and invest in by boosting our local economy.
“These latest projects support the delivery of the Longannet Task Force action plan, a multi-agency response to mitigate the economic impacts of closing Longannet Power Station.”
Delivered by the Big Lottery Fund, the CCF encourages the economic development of UK coastal communities by giving funding to create sustainable economic growth and jobs.
The project boosted by the funding has been named Discovering Fife Forth – Connecting Coast, Heritage and History.
It will involve creating opportunities for business growth and new jobs along the Forth coast by creating new light industrial workshops in the Kincardine area.
Improvements are also planned at Devilla Forest and the Fife Coastal Path, including better access, a new cycling and walking shelter and maps.
Town centre improvements in Kincardine will include upgrading and painting shopfronts to help bring vacant shops back into use.
Mr Craik added: “The industrial estate regeneration is part of our drive to re-establish Kincardine as a coastal service centre, tapping into its significant potential, and recognising the town’s strategic location on the Forth, as well as supporting the regeneration of South West Fife communities.
“It also recognises the area’s potential to attract more visitors to enjoy its coastal and woodland areas.
“This funding will enhance existing workplaces on the Fife Forth coast, and promote links between Devilla Forest and Fife Coastal Path, working in partnership with Forest Enterprise Scotland and the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.”
Stuart Chalmers, forest district manager for Forest Enterprise Scotland, said: “We are excited to be part of this wider project, which will help in our aspirations to make Devilla Forest a key community and visitor destination.”
