ScottishPower has started a programme of demolition works at the site of the disused Townhill Power Station in Dunfermline. The initial phase of work is due to be complete in January 2009.

The power station, which was decommissioned in 1985, has increasingly become a target for vandals in recent years who have been putting themselves at risk by accessing the site illegally. The demolition plans will see the remaining buildings knocked down and the site left level and secure.

ScottishPower and their planning consultants have also indicated that they will be engaging with Fife Council's emerging Dunfermline and East Fife Local Plan to consider the future strategy and allocation for the site with a view to its redevelopment.

Dylan Hughes, project manager at ScottishPower, said: “We are happy to have started the process of demolishing the remaining buildings at Townhill, because they were being vandalised regularly and increasingly becoming unsafe.

“Workers are already on-site and over the next few months will be bringing down the remaining buildings, levelling the ground and removing any waste.

“In the long-term we will be feeding into the Local Plan, as there is clearly a redevelopment opportunity here. At the appropriate time we will also speak to the local community to get their input on potential developments that will be of benefit to the local area.”

Notes to Editors:

Townhill Power Station was opened in 1909, originally operating as a coal fired facility responsible for powering the local tram system. It was redesigned as a twin gas turbine station in the mid 1960’s before being decommissioned in 1985 by the South of Scotland Electricity Board.

Media Information: Paul Ferguson 0141 636 4557 / 07702665924