Ore Valley Housing Association are still committed to building an energy centre to power homes and businesses in Cardenden.

They received permission for the combined heat and power plant at Bowhill Colliery in 2013 but the project is yet to get underway and they've asked to renew the planning consent.

The plan is to build an energy generation centre, including a building to store fuel, a turbine hall, cooling units, two boiler flues, silos and a 30-metres high chimney.

The initial aim is to create power and heat for Ore Valley's homes and then extend the scheme to other dwellings and business units.

Chief executive officer, Andrew Saunders, said: "We are still working hard to develop a viable solution for delivering the project on this site.

"We are currently unable to commence work on site and meet the timing condition within the planning consent.

"We wish to apply for an extension of time."

The proposed site, just off Jamphlars Road, is part of the former colliery to the west of the village.

The idea is to bring wood chips to the plant and burn them to create heat which would then be circulated to properties in Cardenden through a pipe network.

Power created by the plant would then be sold back to the grid.

A Fife Council report said: "At present the network will extend to Ore Valley properties, however the intention is that the network, once installed, can be extended to Fife Council assets in the village and potentially to owner occupiers and local businesses elsewhere within Cardenden."

It also said that around 38,000 tonnes of biomass – the wood chips – would be brought in by lorry, equating to around six to eight deliveries per day.

The site for the plant was chosen as it needs to be situated in relative proximity to the Ore Valley houses.

It will also have an area of hardstanding and parking, with a turning area and fencing.