FIFE COLLEGE has launched a public consultation about its plans to build a new campus on the former Shepherd Offshore site in Dunfermline.

Under the banner ‘Building Brighter Futures’, the consultation is part of the formal process to secure planning consent from Fife Council and views gathered over the period will inform the planning application submitted to Fife Council.

Central to the consultation period is a drop-in event which is being held on Wednesday, July 27, from 2-8 pm, at Dunfermline East Church, Nightingale Place in Dunfermline.

Staff from the college and the project team will be on hand to explain the nature of the proposals for the site and answer any questions from the public throughout the day. Feedback cards will also be available for visitors to complete and share their views.

David Neilson, college vice-principal, said: “Having a period of consultation and hearing the views of people in the community we serve is extremely valuable to us.

"It will enable us to share our ideas about our new campus with the public from this early stage and find out what’s important to people about having a campus built on this particular site.

"We will consider all of the views expressed and use them to shape and design our new campus putting our students at the centre of all that we do.

“Up until now, we have engaged with our staff and students and this will continue, however, we look forward to taking this time to engage with a wider audience.”

Fife College announced in March this year that it had secured the option to purchase land to build the new state-of-the-art campus, which is part of a wider strategy for the college to improve its estates throughout the Kingdom.

Many had called for the college to move into Dunfermline town centre – providing a much-need shot in the arm for the centre's economy – but this was rejected by principal Hugh Logan, who said it would be too costly and take resources away from providing the best learning facilities for students. He says the Shepherd Offshore location would give a facility that puts students at the centre, focusing on what students from throughout Fife need from the new campus.

In April, the college also announced that it had appointed a project team to oversee the new campus development.

Alan Harrison, regional director of Sweett Group, is lead technical advisor on the project and oversees all technical aspects working with architects BDP.

Law firm MacRoberts have been appointed as the college’s legal advisors for the project while Caledonian Economics, working in partnership with QMPF, will support the college’s in-house finance team with project finance advice.

Since securing the option to purchase the land, the college has also been working with their advisors to develop exciting and innovative proposals that will meet the needs of learners now and into the future.

Those wishing to make comments as part of the consultation can also do so online by visiting www.fife.ac.uk and completing a feedback form or by emailing buildingbrighterfutures@fife.ac.uk.

Comments can also be sent in writing to New Campus Consultation, Fife College, Halbeath Campus, Pittsburgh Road, Dunfermline, KY11 8DY.

The closing date for all comments is Tuesday, September 20, 2016.