Fife Council faces ‘bullying’ claim over plan to demolish dilapidated shopping centre

Objectors to the local authority's compulsory purchase order (CPO) on the Glenwood Centre in Glenrothes say the council is not proactively engaging them to ensure the process is fair.

Council bosses began the CPO process in March this year after swearing to buy-out and demolish the run-down complex in 2019 as it was, it said, too expensive to refurbish and had become a haven for anti-social behaviour.

It has outlined proposals for a £23 million regeneration programme for the centre to benefit Macedonia and the wider West Glenrothes area, boasting 121 flats, 17 commercial units, a community hub and a library extension.

However, the buy-out is being contested by the landlord and tenant of one retail unit, who say the centre deserves a second chance.

Henry Patterson planned to open a takeaway and convenience store in Unit 14 in the centre after securing planning permission for the former Costcutter store last year.

Mr Patterson says he has "lost everything" due to the coronavirus pandemic, and suggested his future as a businessman depended on the Glenrothes unit.

Writing in his formal objection to Fife chief planner John McNairney, the 63-year-old said the council had done "very little" to try to work with Glenwood occupants before opting to buy the centre out.

"It is my business that is effected [sic] and I am the one who is suffering," he said.

"You should in my opinion...be critical towards the councils approach of somewhat bullying and underhand tactics.