Plans for a £90 million college campus in Dunfermline have suffered a major setback.
Fife College failed to secure Scottish Government funding for the new building in a round of allocations announced last week, despite submitting an “overwhelming case” for investment.
It is instead being urged to join forces with Fife Council to pursue private finance for a “super campus” combining a college and a new secondary school.
Critics have warned this would be significantly more expensive and could result in the college losing control of its main campus.
College bosses say they are disappointed by the decision but will continue to work tirelessly to secure the money required for much-needed new facilities.
Labour MSP Alex Rowley, who previously accused the Scottish Government of backtracking on a commitment to fund the new campus, branded the funding announcement a betrayal of the people of Dunfermline.
“The SNP Government made a promise to fund a new college in Dunfermline which now turns out to be an election gimmick and in the meantime we are left with a college building that is not fit for purpose,” he said.
“The college is making clear that it will cost over £30 million to bring the current building up to any kind of acceptable standard, not the £4m that Colleges Scotland claim.”
Mr Rowley added: “We were promised a new state-of-the-art college to serve the people of Dunfermline and the surrounding towns and villages and that is what we are demanding, nothing else will be acceptable.”
A Fife College spokesperson confirmed it would need £36m just to bring the current Halbeath campus up to an acceptable standard and said: “We believe there is an overwhelming case for investment in the new campus that was promised back in 2014.”
“We understand that the future funding options for the new campus are still being considered but the Scottish Government has indicated that the most likely way that the replacement campus is to be funded is through the private finance schools hub route,” the spokesperson added.
“This is a major setback but Fife College is committed to working constructively and tirelessly to secure the much-needed investment for the benefit of prospective students and for the benefit of Fife and the wider economy.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said changes in EU accounting rules meant the original proposal for funding a new college had been ruled out, adding: “That has affected a number of proposed projects, not simply Fife College.
“Despite this, the Scottish Government is determined to ensure all involved…work together to support all viable options to ensure the best possible education facilities in Fife.”