MSP claims Dunfermline businesses don't want city square

Shirley-Anne Somerville has urged Fife Council to engage fully with local firms after picking up a lack of "enthusiasm" about the plans for the gap site.

However Lib Dem councillor James Calder hit back and said the SNP MSP's intervention was "more about political point scoring" than what was best for Dunfermline.

Ms Somerville said: "I have spoken with a number of businesses in recent months and I'm afraid there has not been a great deal of enthusiasm about the city square.

"These businesses have told me that if there is available funding, this could be better spent fixing loose cobble stones, broken street furniture and keeping the city centre clean and tidy."

Shirley-Anne Somerville has urged Fife Council to engage fully with local firms after picking up a lack of enthusiasm about the plans for the gap site. (Image: Contributed)

Last year, Fife Council allocated £800,000 of Scottish Government funding towards re-developing the gap site on High Street.

However, Ms Somerville said she was concerned the project may not be seen as a top priority for those living and working in the city centre.

And she added that local authorities do have the ability to change course if they feel the money could be better spent elsewhere."

Ms Somerville added: "I appreciate that a lot of work has gone into this project, and I am sure when completed it will be a pleasant space to visit.

"However, I feel it is essential that businesses feel a sense of ownership with any projects on the High Street and I hope the council will make sure this city square is something they are all on board with."

READ MORE: Call for businesses to have say on Dunfermline's city square

Cllr Calder, the convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee, said: “I do find Shirley-Anne Somerville’s interventions perplexing.

"She rarely engages positively with the council, preferring to instead attack from the sidelines.

Cllr James Calder, convener of the City of Dunfermline area committee. (Image: Fife Council)

“I would also ask why her own councillors did not raise these issues when we discussed funding for the gap site project earlier this month.

"Instead the SNP council group backed the funding, which makes me suspicious that her motives are more about political point scoring than in actually supporting local businesses."

He said they have already asked council officers to consult business on the project and on wider improvements in the city centre.

Cllr Calder added: "Last week we undertook a site visit with services around the city centre as a result of discussions with businesses and community groups and have identified a number of areas we hope to improve.

“I will continue to actually work with the local community and the council for improvements in the meantime and I am looking forward to various pieces of work taking place in the coming months.”