CAMPAIGNERS fighting for a new health centre in Lochgelly are encouraging locals to attend a meeting on housing development proposals in the town.

Members of the Friends of Lochgelly Health Centre say they will highlight existing strains on facilities at the sessions being put on to outline plans for 190 new homes on land south of The Avenue.

Omnivale Ltd are holding events in the Lochgelly Centre tomorrow (Wednesday) and on September 11 as part of their consultation requirements for the new housing proposals.

The FLHC are keen to ensure their concerns over the town's health services will not be overlooked.

READ MORE: 'Lochgelly is fed up of being let down'

A spokesperson said: "These events will address proposals for a further major residential and associated development on the south side of the town. FLHC plan to attend these public events to raise their concerns.

"They hope to ascertain if the developers are aware of the pressures on local provision and if the developers are being asked to provide support towards health provision.

"Friends of Lochgelly Health Centre would encourage all the community to attend these events to find out more about proposed development and its potential impact on the existing health provision."

NHS Fife promised to replace the current David Street facility by 2019, but work never started. 

And plans were kicked into the long grass at the beginning of this year when the Scottish Government announced it was to adopt a phased approach to capital expenditure meaning it could not be delivered within planned timescales.

NHS Fife has said the current centre is “functionally inadequate and compromises proactive patient care”.

READ MORE: Plans submitted to build 190 new homes in Lochgelly

Last year, the government said money for a new health centre in Lochgelly, and one in Kincardine, was not considered a "priority" in its Infrastructure Investment Plan (2021-26).

The then health minister Michael Matheson blamed sky-high inflation, less cash than expected from Westminster and rising construction costs as he confirmed that Kincardine and Lochgelly will have to wait another three years for funding.

Last month, members of the campaign group met health minister Neil Gray at the centre and highlighted the "dire conditions" of the outdated facilities.

The spokesperson added: "Among the many points discussed, the FLHC emphasised that Lochgelly is a growing community.

"While the group welcomes new residents being brought into the town by new housing developments, they stressed that the existing inadequate health provision is being placed under greater strain by this expansion.

"This situation is further increasing the dissatisfaction and anger among Lochgelly residents."