IT would seem that the developers who are planning to create a green Westfield are keen to take the neighbouring communities along with them.

A public meeting in Benarty Centre last week saw 50 people turn up to discuss the plans by Hargreaves for the former opencast site and there were concerns about certain elements of the proposals.

However, the company wants to set up a liaison group so that people can be kept in touch with what is happening with the site and take on board views.

The public meeting held last Monday saw four people speak on the proposals for Westfield which would see a number of renewable aspects, but the one situation which did bother people was the proposal for a gas generator power plant on the site.

The speakers included Louise Batchelor, former BBC TV journalist and now keen environmentalist; Mark Ruskell, the Green Party MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife; Tom Kinnaird, on behalf of the Westfield Action Group; and Ballingry Councillor, Mary Lockhart, who addressed the meeting from her own perspective on the Westfield plans.

Michael O'Hare was in the chair and discussion for the most part was airing concern at the gas generator proposals.

One of the many questions tabled was from Benarty, Cardenden and Lochgelly councillor, Rosemary Liewald, who aired her concern that the planning application for Westfield was being considered by the Central Area Planning Committee when she pointed out that the likes of Cardenden and Benarty were under the umbrella of the West Area Committee.

She contended that it should be something that is considered by both the planning committees as it affected many communities.

During the evening it was noted that 25 objections to proposals for Westfield have been lodged.

The Benarty Community Forum's Lorna Bett helped organise the meeting and commented: "It was a really good event which saw people able to discuss the various aspects of the planning applications for the Westfield site.

"Clearly there were concerns about the gas generators proposal and more information on this part of the way ahead is needed."

People can see more about the Westfield applications on Action Group's Facebook page.