FIFE council has proposed the demolition of flat blocks in Dunfermline has part of plans to regenerate council housing in Touch.

The properties on Law Road and Henryson Road could be torn down to make way for new council homes with a future phase including flats at Gilfillan and Peirson Road.

Tenants and residents in the area are being invited to take part in information and engagement sessions to hear more about the plans, with final decisions on the way forward then being taken by Dunfermline Area Committee.

Councillor Judy Hamilton, Fife Council's housing spokesperson, said that the rising costs mean improvements to the existing buildings would not be "financially viable".

She also cited anti-social behavior in the area as a factor.

Cllr Hamilton said: "Various options have been considered for the area over recent years, but the rising costs of the major work needed to improve the flats means it's not financially viable.

"Anti-social behaviour is also an issue in the area and the proposal is therefore to demolish these blocks and build new council homes in their place.

"Initial feedback on the plans has been positive but we now need to hear directly from the people involved and listen to their views."

The work would be carried out in two phases, with the first concentrating on 94 properties and 48 lock up garages in Law Road and Henryson Road.

Designs and layouts for any new housing would be developed in consultation with the community.

Peter Reid, Chair of Touch and Garvock community council says "it is natural" for residents to be concerned about regeneration plans. "There is a great sense of community in Touch, with countless voluntary organisations, doing great work and working effectively with local councillors and Fife Council officials.

"It is natural that people living in Touch might be concerned about regeneration proposals for their area, and I would strongly encourage them to participate in the upcoming community engagement sessions to find out more and present their views."

Sessions for the community to give feedback on the proposals will be held on Wednesday, August 2, between 4.30pm and 6.30pm at St Margaret's Church Hall and Tuesday, August 8, between 4.30pm and 6.30pm at Touch Community Centre.

Anyone who is unable to attend or would like the opportunity to discuss the plans on an individual basis should call Lead Officer Deborah Stevens on 07525 392720 or Lead Officer Lisa Hodgson on 07872 423838 Feedback from the sessions will be gathered and councillors will discuss the next steps at a meeting of the Dunfermline Area Committee before the end of the year.

Any demolition work would not start until all residents can be re-housed and it is hoped new homes could be available from early 2029.

In 2016 the Press reported that Fife Council would be setting aside millions to improve around 300 properties in Touch after demolition plans were ruled out. 

At that time, former Dunfermline Central councillor Bob Young said he had hoped flats could be knocked down, but that there was nowhere to re-house residents.