Local communities will have the opportunity to map out the future of the Glenrothes West area alongside design experts following the award of a Scottish Government £20,000 grant.

The money will support delivery of a Charrette to bring together the public, stakeholders and designers over a number of days to draw up proposals to make their towns and villages better places to live.

The Charrette takes place as a series of community workshops, and is set to encourage greater public involvement in the future design of the Glenrothes West area, covering the neighbourhoods of Macedonia, Tanshall and Caskieberran, with the Glenwood Centre at its heart.

This funding builds on a previous allocation of Fife Task Force monies focussed on boosting community regeneration. The Task Force recognised the need to give additional focus to regeneration of the Glenwood Centre as a response to a clear community desire for improvement. This now forms a funding pot of up to £47,000 in total for delivery of the Charrette.

Cllr Bill Brown, Glenrothes Area chair, said: “I am delighted to have received this funding. There will be a particular focus on producing costed proposals for the redevelopment of the Glenwood Centre, which sits at the heart of the Glenrothes West area. It is hoped that this plan will lead to Planning Permission in Principle (PPP) and guide detailed planning applications for the Glenwood Centre and local development sites in the future.

“This follows on nicely from the Starter for Ten initiative that was highlighted on the BBC programme – The Council, where local residents showed their enthusiasm to improve the area.”

Cllr David Ross, Fife Council’s leader, added: “The quality of our places has an important influence on our lives and Fife Council is committed to empowering communities and involving them in the planning process. This initiative enables local people to have their say on the long- term future of their community.

“Fife Council is determined to ensure that everyone within the community has the opportunity to make their voice heard, and will be working closely with the West Glenrothes Tenants and Residents Association on this project. Local communities have a wealth of knowledge about their local area. Giving communities access to design expertise will enable ideas and proposals to be developed to deliver positive change.

“This is the long term approach we’ve taken in Lochgelly, which recently received the Most Improved Town in Scotland award from the Scottish Urban Regeneration Forum earlier this week, so we know it works.”

The work will be underway throughout Spring 2017, with final reporting on Charrette outcomes by the end of Summer 2017.