RENOVATION work at the historic Cowdenbeath Town House has been placed on indefinite hold until decisions are made about its future use. 

Fife Cabinet Committee councillors confirmed on Thursday that the limited remaining funds from the renovation project could be redistributed to help with other projects this year. 

The property had previously received £500,000 from the Scottish Government Town Centre Fund and Place Based Investment Programme to bring the building up to a standard ready for future use. 

Work was previously underway, but it has now come to a halt. 

The historic C-listed building has been empty since the council moved out in 2016 when the building was declared surplus to requirements.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) was in line to purchase the townhouse from the local authority with plans to turn it into a community shop and kitchen. 

However, plans fell through in October, and the deal was withdrawn.

A report to councillors said: “There is no immediate time frame for potential next steps.

"Officers are in negotiations with a range of interested parties to look at local potential uses as we go forward.” 

The remaining Town House regeneration budget could be used elsewhere this year and come back to the project in future years when a use is decided.

The Times told you in October that both Fife Council and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) were disappointed to announce that the plans for CRT to buy the town house at the north end of the High Street had been shelved.

At the time, Sarah Roxburgh, community manager (Cowdenbeath) said: "Following a lengthy period of community engagement, investigation and preparation work, Fife Council and Coalfields Regeneration Trust regret to advise that the plans for the purchase of Cowdenbeath Town House, and the provision of a Community Shop, have been withdrawn.

"This is due to a number of factors outside of our control, and the ever increasing economic uncertainty and change.

"We will continue to work in partnership to deliver community projects and initiatives throughout the area."

Pauline Grandison, Head of Operations – Scotland for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust said: “We are disappointed that due to factors beyond our control, including the current economic uncertainty, we are unable to go ahead with our original plans for the Cowdenbeath Town House.

"Fife Council and Company Shop are valued partners and we continue to work with them to build prosperity and opportunity in former coalfield communities.

“We already deliver a number of programmes in the Cowdenbeath area including our Game On Scotland football programme, our Coalfields Worx employment scheme as well as providing funding for local community groups. We would like to reassure people in Cowdenbeath that our existing projects will continue and that we are committed to expanding our work in the local community as and when suitable opportunities arise.”