Published: Thursday, 14th January, 2010 3:16pm

Key element in regen story nears completion

by Jim Stark

A KEY part of the Lochgelly regeneration programme is nearing completion and will soon be open for business.

The Main Street complex, spearheaded by Ore Valley Housing Association, has been under construction for about a year and is a major element in Main Street's regeneration.

The building consists of 12 flats on two floors and six retail units on the ground floor.

Andrew Saunders of Ore Valley, said this week, "All 12 flats have been allocated through the Fife Housing Register and are almost ready to be occupied.

"The water supply connection is being completed as we speak and the flats will soon be ready to be occupied.

"Interest in the retail units has been very keen indeed and and we hope that these will all be occupied in the very near future."

Andrew did say that the wet weather of the late summer and autumn had delayed progress on the project and it had fallen slightly behind schedule.

But he added, "However, we are now very near the building being opened for business on all fronts which will be a landmark in the regeneration story.

"When you consider what this part of the Main Street used to look like it there is an amazing difference.

"We used to have the site dominated by the former Broadways public house, the decaying Opera House building and a block of flats along with a row of smaller shops, some of which were vacant.

"Now we have a a brand new building and it provides an impressive site."

Andrew went on to say that another piece of the regeneration jigsaw was soon to start near the current building when the proposed new business centre gets underway.

He went on, "A great deal of work has already been taking place on this project with the drains being laid.

"We could have been further on too but for the cold snap which has prevented construction work going into full swing.

"However, once the temperature rises we will see the steelwork going up and progress will gather pace.

"When you look at what has taken place in Main Street with the new town square and the revamped Miners Institute which is now a technology centre, there is a lot going on in Lochgelly.

"Soon it will be time to turn attention to the site around the former St Andrews Church building as we try to build a good quality vibrant town centre which will make people want to stay in Lochgelly rather than go out of the town in the evening."

Andrew said that over the past decade around £16m had been invested in the central area of Lochgelly and he was hopeful that the Charrette initiative planned for March would see further development in the town.

"This initiative will seek input from the people of Lochgelly and I hope that plenty will come forward and air their ideas", concluded Andrew.

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