THE community councils representing the towns and villages surrounding the Mossmorran Petro-Chemical Complex have been invited to a meeting next week to discuss how a compensation claim could be made against plant operators at the site.

This follows a series of issues which has seen people suffering problems from the effects of flaring at the site on the outskirts of Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly.

Fife Council has agreed to get involved in trying to set up a mechanism whereby compensation could be obtained from the operators of the Fife Ethylene Plant and Shell NGL facility and the outcome will be the meeting for community council representatives from Crossgates, Hill of Beath, Cowdenbeath, Kelty, Lumphinnans, Benarty, Cardenden and Auchtertool on Thursday January 30 at the Maxwell Centre. Also involved will be the community councils from South Fife, near the Braefoot Bay terminal.

Council co-leader, David Ross, has written to all community councils affected and inviting them to send two representatives to the Maxwell Centre that night and councillors in the Cowdenbeath and Kelty; and Benarty, Lochgelly and Cardenden wards, are also invited.

Cowdenbeath and Kelty councillor, Alex Campbell, has been pushing the local authority to get something organised to discuss the compensation issue and is delighted that the meeting has been called and sees it as important progress on what has been a burning issue in the area.

He said: “Circumstances have come to a head at Mossmorran over the past few years and Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and the surrounding villages have seen long periods of flaring, causing fierce light and noise which have impacted on people’s lives.

“I genuinely feel that these communities have been short changed due to the years of impact from the complex and something needs to be done.

“I have spoken to manager at the Ethylene Plant and he indicated that the company was waiting for an approach from Fife Council so hopefully next Thursday’s meeting will come up with a way of making a move to the companies at Mossmorran.”

Mr Campbell stressed that this style of compensation claim would be for the community not for personal circumstances.

He added: “Perhaps a community pot such as the Windfarm operations have could be an appropriate way ahead with community councils receiving regular funding from it.

“However, that is the sort of thing that needs to be decided by those at the meeting.”

People should remember that next Thursday’s event is not a public meeting but for the community councils around the petro site.