Homes near the former RAF base at Leuchars are highly unlikely to be used to accommodate Fife’s share of Syrian refugees, The Courier has learned.
Around 140 refugees are expected to come to the kingdom over the next four years, as part of the 20,000 anticipated across the UK between now and 2020.
But while there have been calls for Fife Council to look into using empty properties at Leuchars for that purpose, given that there are fewer army personnel stationed there than the previous number of RAF personnel, it is understood that temporary accommodation in central Fife will be the local authority’s preferred solution.
A full discussion on how the council and its partners intend to support Syrian refugees is expected to take place in Glenrothes on Tuesday, and a number of different options are likely to be discussed.
The issue has been raised ahead of today’s visit to Leuchars army base by the Queen, who is due to meet soldiers and their families.
SNP councillor John Docherty said he believes any surplus housing at Leuchars could well be released, which would ensure the refugees could be located in one community.
“I raised this at the last full council meeting and I just thought it would be a good idea because there are houses that are lying empty and can be used by families as well,” he said.
“Even if you take the numbers of personnel the MoD are talking about taking to Leuchars, I’m sure it will still leave an awful lot of accommodation empty.
“The RAF leaving has also had a negative impact on the primary schools, so it would be good to see more families in that area.”
Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett added that he too believed there is empty accommodation at the Leuchars base that could be used, but sounded a word of caution.
“The accommodation is owned and managed by MoD estates, not by the council,” he said.
Councillor Judy Hamilton, the administration’s executive spokeswoman for housing and building services, said she understood that the Leuchars base is “not under consideration at the present time”.