Partnership to unlock economic potential in Fife
Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Fife Council are working in partnership to develop a number of key infrastructure projects across Fife that will create new employment opportunities and deliver substantial economic benefits for Scotland.
As part of a joint venture agreement the partners are promoting the sale of four key strategic SE sites in Fife – Calais Muir South and Dover Heights in Dunfermline, Nairn Street in Kirkcaldy and land at Westwood Park in Glenrothes. Under the agreement the Council has secured an equity interest and proposes to invest in infrastructure on the sites where appropriate.
SE and Fife Council are now working together to identify potential uses of the sites that will have the biggest impact on the economy and lead to new investment in the region. Following an extensive competitive tendering process, the partners have appointed Ryden property consultants to develop a sales and development strategy for each of the sites with the aim of maximising employment and economic benefits for the area. Potential development includes office accommodation, housing, neighbourhood retail and community and leisure facilities.
Allan McQuade, Business Infrastructure Director at Scottish Enterprise said: “This project is a good example of where we work in partnership with public and private sector partners to develop Scotland’s physical business infrastructure and establish a globally competitive business environment for key sectors to flourish.
“The region has been boosted by the recent announcement that Amazon will create 750 jobs on one of the sites at Calais Muir, Dunfermline and we hope this project will help to attract further new investment to Scotland.”
Ronnie Hair, Lead Officer, Business Land and Property at Fife Council said: ”We look forward to working with Ryden who have demonstrated they have the expertise and market knowledge to assist the joint venture partners to achieve further investment for the Fife economy. This will allow us to build on the success of the Amazon project, which was the first of hopefully a number of significant deals we aim to deliver under the joint venture agreement. “
Fiona Clandillon, Associate at Ryden, said: “We were pleased to secure this contract following a very competitive tendering process. Our team’s focus is to deliver development. Therefore, our research, planning and agency advisors are committed to producing individual strategies for these sites that will ensure the most appropriate land uses are combined and that suitable occupiers are attracted.”