Powering ahead with Longannet future

Fife Council approved proposals for the land put forward by Scottish Enterprise, the national economic development agency, in the hope of bringing hundreds of jobs and economic regeneration to the area.

The site has already been named by Spanish train manufacturer Talgo as the preferred location for their new UK manufacturing base.

Managing Director of International Economic Development at Scottish Enterprise, Paul Lewis said: “This planning approval is a really exciting development for the communities of Fife, and well beyond.

“The Longannet site is of strategic importance to the Scottish economy and we are committed to ensuring it is redeveloped for future industrial use, delivering investment, jobs and further benefits.

“This commitment to transform a former fossil fuels site also supports our work to make Scotland a net zero emissions economy.

“We’re continuing our work with Talgo to bring to life their plans for a manufacturing facility on the site, after the company named Longannet as their preferred location.”

This latest milestone builds upon the work of the Longannet Taskforce, whose focus has been to support the wider regeneration of the area following the power station’s closure in 2016.

The planning application, for business and industrial units, was submitted by Scottish Enterprise to the Fife Council planning department in August of this year following a comprehensive consultation with a range of stakeholders, including the local community, into the most appropriate use of the site.

It has been approved this afternoon, subject to conditions.

The process was put into motion during negotiations to purchase the site from current owner Scottish Power in order to demonstrate the enterprise agency’s commitment to the site.

Commercial negotiations are ongoing.