FIFE COUNCIL has been accused of pulling the plug on a local firm’s plans to move into a disused toilet block.
The Foot Shop in Dunfermline, a podiatry practice with about 1,000 patients, had hoped to set up a clinic in the old Queen Anne Street public convenience.
However, the local authority sold the space to the highest bidder and it is to be turned into offices.
Practice manager Wilma Soulsby said the Foot Shop had lost out on a unique opportunity to expand in a town centre location.
Councillors also criticised the handling of the sale, claiming they were left in the dark about the transaction.
Mrs Soulsby has lodged a formal complaint and is hoping to hear back from the council this week.
She said: “We treat about 250 patients a month. That would be an increase in footfall in the centre of Dunfermline of 250 people a month.
“It’s actually shattering because this was our one chance to come into the city centre and we were not given a fair crack of the whip.
“These premises were the only premises which would have suited us.
“We’re working to capacity. We have small premises but there is a growing need for our services.”
The building was valued at around £150,000 and there was a closing date for bids in October. Offers were made subject to a planning application for change of use.
Mrs Soulsby said if a timely planning application was not lodged by the winning bidder, the council should put the premises back on the market.
Councillor Bob Young, who represents the town centre, said council officers did not consult local elected members before the sale. He now fears the building could end up lying empty.
“I would rather see something happen with the building that was long term, rather than just selling it off as office space.
“It would have been simple for council officers to get the four ward councillors into a room and ask us how we felt about it.”
Councillor Neale Hanvey said: “There were some concerns raised about how the sale was handled.
“The message loud and clear from every political party at the last area committee was if any city centre properties owned by the council have to be sold, it should go through the steering group.”
Council leader Alex Rowley said the procedures for selling council properties would be reviewed.
“The assurance I have had is this building is going to be used,” he said.
“The question here is where we are working to rejuvenate and revitalise town centres, is it legitimate we should be able to interfere to ensure we are not just selling to the highest bidder, if that bid is from a property speculator who will allow that building to sit and rot?
“The question I have asked is whether or not the council could take into consideration not just the price of the building offered but the intention for future use.”
He said the council’s executive committee would be considering what action to take against property owners who let buildings become derelict eyesores.
“I have asked for a report to be brought back to the executive committee early in the New Year to look at what powers the council has and what kind of taxes, if any, are paid.
“It has been suggested to me there are some grey areas in terms of what powers we have. We need the Scottish Government to start working with us.
“Too many towns and villages across Fife have buildings lying derelict.”
arobertson@thecourier.co.uk