A Fife councillor has branded the Carbuncle awards “childish” after it emerged Lochgelly has been shortlisted for the prize nobody wants.
Nationalist Ian Chisholm has reacted furiously to the news that the town he represents is in the running for the Plook on the Plinth award.
Mr Chisholm told The Courier the prize should go instead to the architects whose work destroyed communities such as Lochgelly.
The Carbuncle awards are organised by the Glasgow-based architectural magazine Urban Design, which used to be known as Prospect.
After sifting through hundreds of nominations on its website, it has drawn up the shortlist of contenders for this year’s award.
That dubious distinction goes to Lochgelly, Denny in Stirlingshire, East Kilbride, Inverness and John O’Groats.
Not everyone has seen the funny side.Foul-upsMr Chisholm said, “It seems to me that the Carbuncle awards are aimed at the wrong target at the good folk who have to live with the architectural and planning foul-ups of their professions.
“Maybe a Carbuncle award to the architects from the people would be more appropriate.
“Given the run-down (state of) Fife’s mining towns after the Thatcher years, it is little wonder that towns like Lochgelly are in need of a little TLC.”
He added, “We have made a start and with both the Scottish Government and Fife Council funding the engagement of the world-famous town planner Andres Duamy in the charrette process, I hope to see progress towards his inspiring and visionary plans for the future Lochgelly.
“It is perhaps a pity that town planning has become so broken in Scotland that an American needs to be called in. It does say an awful lot about Scottish architects.
“Perhaps the body responsible for these childish, so-called awards would be better employed in repairing the damage to our towns.”
John Glenday, one of the judges, said anyone could nominate any town on the Carbuncle awards website.
Hundreds of Scottish villages, towns and cities were nominated but just five made the shortlist. The ‘winner’ will be announced in August.PotentialMr Glenday said, “I have had the opportunity to have a wander around. I think the town has potential but it doesn’t seem to be living up to that potential.
“There is some fantastic countryside surrounding the town and it has got great rail links to Edinburgh.”
Mr Glenday added there appeared to be a lack of joined-up thinking when it came to the town’s regeneration.
“The plans the council are talking about are all 20 or 30 years down the line,” he said. “By then it will probably be too late. There appears to be no short-term solution.
“I think it is important to get the ball rolling and work with what you have and the town has a good, historic fabric.”
One of the town’s landmark buildings, the Lochgelly Centre, is undergoing a £2.3 million refurbishment that will secure its future for the next 15 years at least.
It was closed completely in January for a year to allow contractors to give the 1970s building a major facelift. The aim is to create a bright, modern and attractive space for library and heritage services. People will also be able to access council services at the centre.