Plans to breathe new life into the former Hyundai site at Halbeath, near Dunfermline, could create thousands of jobs.
“At the same time, we see some scope for developing new homes for families – many of which we hope will be for families who work on the site.
“We also believe that by having a significant area of the site as green space, we can help create a massive and unique new area of parkland that will enhance the setting of the development, whilst also giving local residents access to new parkland.”
Mr Williamson said the firm was delighted to bring the proposals to deliver the largest new investment in Fife in more than a decade.
“Our aim is to help Fife play a vital role in the sunrise renewable industries, to provide world class new educational facilities that can transform Dunfermline as a place of learning and create new family housing that will provide high quality homes for our workforce and others.
“By keeping one third of the site as green space, we aim to help facilitate one of Scotland’s biggest and best new park areas.
“This is about delivering investment and moving forward.
“The Halbeath site can be transformed from a symbol of disappointment, to an exciting vision of the potential, vibrancy and future of Fife.”
The firm was, he added: “hugely impressed” by the people they had met and the support received.
“By working together we are convinced that we can help attract further investment and jobs for Dunfermline and Fife.”
Shepherd Offshore has submitted its plans for the redevelopment of the facility.
A planning application has been lodged with Fife Council, including a masterplan vision of the site which, if approved, will guide investment into the area.
The masterplan includes:A renewable energy centre of excellence to complement Fife Energy Park and create a renewables hub to attract investment making Fife a major player in Scotland’s renewable energy revolution. A new education campus, providing higher education infrastructure. A hotel site to attract new visitors and longer stays in Fife. New homes for families, enabling some of the local workforce to live close by and minimise car journeys. Other business opportunities for small businesses and retail development. A new public park with lochans, woodland and wildlife habitats.The application comes after an extensive period of consultation in which Shepherd Offshore sought views about what could be included in the final masterplan.
Hundreds of members of the community attended a series of public exhibitions providing information on the site.
The site, which expands over more than 150 acres, had lain vacant since 1997, until Shepherd Offshore took ownership late last year.
Demonstrating its commitment to Halbeath, the company have moved quickly with their proposals for the site and in preparing it for investment by starting to demolish the existing building, with the intention of having the site cleared and ready for use in 2012.
Shepherd Offshore’s plan contains outline proposals for a mixed-use development as set out in the public consultation with the local community.
Of the 150 acres, only 108 will be developed and around 42 acres of new public open space will be created.
Shepherd Offshore is also proposing to allow for connectivity through the site and links to the open space with Duloch Park and Calais Muir Wood to the south to create one of Scotland’s largest public parks.
Andy Williamson, director of business development at Shepherd Offshore, said: “Our aim is to deliver real investment, real jobs, transform the local education facilities and help secure a key role for Dunfermline and Fife in renewable energy sector.
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