Buying and restoring a site regarded as one of Kirkcaldy’s worst eyesores will cost the taxpayer more than will be recouped through its sale.
Fife Council is to seek a compulsory purchase order for a disused yard at the Ingleside Works off Smeaton Road, which has been registered as derelict land for 17 years.
The prominent site, at Junction Road, contains piles of waste and a derelict steel frame building which, it is feared, could become dangerous.
It is expected the purchase, clearance and remediation of the contaminated land, which may be marketed for potential housing development, will cost several hundred thousand pounds.
The Scottish Government has provided money for the purchase and work and the sale proceeds will be retained by the council, but public funds invested will outweigh the return.
The yard, part of the Victoria Road regeneration corridor and latterly designated a waste transfer station, is opposite 160 new affordable homes built at a cost of £17 million and can be seen from the main east coast railway line.
As well as being regarded as a deterrent to future investment in the area, there have been reports of vermin.
Kirkcaldy Central councillor Alistair Cameron said it was essential the yard was dealt with.
He said: “To say it’s in a bad state of repair would be an understatement. It’s just horrendous.
“There’s been no attempt to do any work on this site for all the time I have been in Kirkcaldy.”
The council’s property investment and development manager Ronnie Hair said the price asked by owner Thomas Muir and the council’s valuation of the site remained “a considerable way apart” three years after talks began.
A report Mr Hair presented to the council’s assets, property and facilities committee said the council had tried to persuade the owner to clear the site.
It said: “In the absence of the owner undertaking to carry out the necessary demolition, site clearance and remediation of the subjects, the council has attempted to engage with the owner with the view to securing the potential acquisition of the subjects.
“To date the council has not been successful in being able to reach agreement on acceptable terms of purchase.”
The site, which has an industrial heritage, was latterly designated as a waste transfer station.
The full extent of contamination is yet to be established but initial investigations, which were hampered by the amount of waste, found heavy metals and hydrocarbons.
It is owned under separate titles by Hampad Ltd and Charttower Ltd, both owned by Mr Muir.
Compensation to be paid will be agreed with the relevant parties or by the Lands Tribunal. However, a public enquiry could be held if there are objections to the CPO.
