The Scottish Government

Name

Keith Winter

Job title

Organisation

Fife Council

Address

Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, Fife KY7 5LT

Telephone

08451 55 55 55 ext. 44 22 84

Fax

01592 583103

Email

Keith.winter@fife.gov.uk

1 Heritage Building Preservation Trust

2 Fife HARCA

3 Adam Smith College

4 Fife Womens Technology Centre

5 Lochgelly Community Regen Forum

6 Purvis Group - Thomas Menzies

Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

4 Title of entry

Miners Institute and Town Square Lochgelly

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

Lochgelly town centre is being transformed through a programme of regeneration activity. Within that overall context the refurbishmnent of the Miners Institute and the creation of an adjoining high quality Town Square innovatively combine the re-use of key assets with new design and artwork to create a contemporary image for the town centre that recognises and embraces local history and culture. The project has harnessed expertise, knowledge and resources from within the local community (Lochgelly Community Regeneration Forum), the voluntary sector (Heritage Building Preservation Trust and Fife Housing Association Regeneration Community Alliance), the public sector (Fife Council, Adam Smith College and Fife Womens Technolgy Centre) and private sector bodies (Purvis Group and Menzies Builders).

Over the past 100 years the fortunes of Lochgelly have waxed and waned in response to the growth and subsequent contraction of the local coal mining industries. As the pits closed Lochgelly gradually lost its main source of employment and a spiral of decline set in during the 1980s. As a result Lochgelly scored poorly in terms of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation ( SIMD). Social and economic decline were also reflected in deterioration of the urban fabric, including dereliction within the Miners Institute, and key structures and spaces within the town centre. In 2002 Fife Council designated Lochgelly a Regeneration Area to encourage focused and concerted regeneration activity. This project is part of that larger initiative which is addressing deprivation through a multi-agency approach.

Following extensive public consultation and engagement, the key priorities were identified as the preservation, refurbishment and re-use of the Miners Institute (a Grade B Listed Building), removal of blight and dereliction within the town centre and improvements to the public realm. The project was initiated as a means of encouraging community engagement, heightening public aspirations and enhancing a sense of well being and civic pride. Implementation of the project was taken forward within the context of FILM (the Fife Intermediate Labour Market funded by the EU), to address issues arising from socio-economic exclusion. The Institute was refurbished for future use by Adam Smith College and FWTC to deliver educational - training opportunities.

Site assembly commenced in 2002/03 with initial demolition of empty property undertaken in 2003. An appraisal followed in 2003/4 to establish the viability and deliverability of various options for future use of the Institute. The creation of a new training - educational establishment was identified as the preferred option in 2004/5. A funding package totalling £2.8M was assembled in two phases. The external funders included Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Coalfields Regeneration Fund, Communities Scotland and the Robertson Trust. Refurbishment of the Institute commenced in February 2007 with completion in March 2008. The Town Square was constructed over a 4 month period and was officially opened in July 2008.

Considerable time and effort was expended in developing a viable and sustainable Business Case. Fundementally, that work was undertaken within the framework agreed with the local community and key stakeholders. Of key importance was the consultation and engagement with the LCRF and the general public. That input (coordinated from the dedicated Regeneration Office in Lochgelly) was reflected in the preferred use for the Institute and the design for both the Town Square and the associated public art. The sculpture, by Fife-based sculptor David Annand, is the focal point of the Square. It acknowledges Lochgelly's coal mining past whilst emphasising the need to look towards the future. A poem 'God the Miner' by local poet, William Hershaw, is inscribed on the sculpture in Old Scots.

Fife Council acquired the Miners Institute and a number of other derelict premises that were subsequently demolished and the sites made suitable for re-development. The derelict Institute was then conveyed to the Heritage Building Preservation Trust who pulled together funding bids and undertook project-management to refurbish the building. Fife HARCA secured funding to acquire the completed building and then let the premises to Adam Smith College who sublet space to FWTC. Adam Smith College and FWTC are the end users. The Council assumed the responsibility for planning and implementation of the Town Square improvement works. The art work was created by a local sculptor and poet.

A key part of Lochgelly town centre has been physically transformed: dereliction has been removed, the future of a local landmark Listed Building has been secured and the public realm improved. This is contributing to the restoration of Lochgelly's pride and vibrancy, whilst reflecting the local heritage and culture. The Town Square forms a new meeting place and focus for civic activity. Local Contractors used Fife-based labour to the benefit of the local economy. The project was taken forward within the context of FILM to maximise the associated training opportunities. Adam Smith College and FWTC will now deliver circa 100 new training - educational spaces per day. The project has triggered additional new investment in the form of a care home, retail - flatted development, housing and proposed business units.

The project addresses both national regeneration issues and the Council's 'Big 8' strategic priorities for Fife. It is a successful example of proactive community engagement in realising the community's aspirations, and of effective partnership working between a wide range of interests from the public sector, voluntary sector, private sector and the local community. The project demonstrates the inextricable links that exist between the environmental, social and economic elements of a regeneration initiative, and how individual projects fit within a wider programme of area renewal. It also highlights the importance of high quality design solutions that build on existing character and narrative to enhance a sense of place within our communities.

26/08/08