THEY'RE going to raise the roof in Saline but it will prove costly in more ways than one.

Fife Council have submitted a planning application for essential work that could cost £200,000 and close the community centre on Main Street for up to six months.

David Chisholm, chair of Saline Community Council, said: "It's come as a bit of a shock.

"Repairs to the roof have been spoken about for a while but it was hoped that they could do it in such a way that the rest of the building could still be used.

Dunfermline Press: Fife Council are to carry out essential repairs at Saline Community Centre.Fife Council are to carry out essential repairs at Saline Community Centre. (Image: Newsquest)

"But now they're saying the community centre could be closed for up to six months while they replace the roof.

"That came out of the blue and it presents a big problem as the food pantry, which has been a huge success, is based there and other users will be affected too.

"And if the pharmacy gets the go-ahead after the latest appeal, that's due to open in the community centre too."

The council's planning application is for "external alterations including re-roofing, re-rendering and replacement rainwater goods".

A spokesperson told the Press: "The project to replace the pyramid shaped roof to the smaller front hall is currently at costing.

"A building warrant has been granted but the planning permission is still outstanding.

"We hope to start the work as soon as permissions are obtained."

Although the application doesn't appear to be on the council's planning portal, the building warrant lists the value of the work as £200,000.

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The community have been told the work is unlikely to begin before the end of October.

Mr Chisholm said: "The plan now is for the pantry to move to the Steelend club which does raise issues about how people get up there, as some of the people that use the pantry are perhaps not in the best health and it's a mile walk up to Steelend.

"We're investigating if some kind of shuttle bus could run between 11.30am and 1.30pm to take people back and forward."