Partnership to secure jobs and investment in Fife

Scottish Enterprise and Fife Council have announced a new partnership to develop a significant portfolio of land – a move which is set to secure up to 2450 jobs and could see a potential £61 million investment in the Kingdom in the long term.

The two organisations have entered into a joint venture to develop a total of 169 acres of potential ‘employment’ land currently owned by Scottish Enterprise, to meet the needs of developers and businesses looking to invest in the region.

Fife Council and Scottish Enterprise are already working together to prepare masterplans for the various sites, which include Dover Heights and Calais Muir in Dunfermline, Victoria Road in Kirkcaldy and Westwood Park in Glenrothes. This venture ensures that Scottish Enterprise and Fife Council both meet their aim of stimulating sustainable economic growth.

It is hoped that up to 2450 jobs will be created, with the potential to inject up to £61 million pounds into the local economy over the next 10 years.

Councillor Peter Grant, Leader of Fife Council and Chair of the policy, finance and asset management committee said: “We can’t predict when or how the current economic situation will turn around but we can make sure we’re doing all we can to create the right conditions for economic development.

“By taking positive action like this and making a significant capital investment, we’re putting our money where our mouth is and providing tangible proof that we have every confidence in Fife’s economy.”

Stephen Gallagher, Senior Director of Business Infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, said: “By releasing this land for development, we are helping to ensure that Scottish companies have access to the right business infrastructure to help them to grow, and we are pleased to be doing this in partnership with Fife Council.  

“The majority of the land could be adapted to suit a number of different industries and uses, and it’s possible that some of the sites will be sub-divided into smaller parcels of marketable development land, but we’re currently working with the Council to explore all of the possibilities for development.”   

Councillor Tony Martin, chair of the environment, enterprise and transportation committee added: “This type of partnership working and approach demonstrates our very real commitment to stimulating the local economy and providing long term opportunities for local companies and inward investment.”