Fife Council is to continue taking more measures to address empty properties and vacant land in the area.

To date, local area committees have compiled lists of buildings that fall into the category and the council will now consult with community councils to try and identify further potential areas of derelict land.

Councillor Lesley Laird, spokesperson for Economy and Planning, commented: "Everyone can think of property in their area that has fallen into disrepair because of disuse or halted development works. The council is concerned about the impact that these dilapidated buildings and untidy gap sites have on local people and businesses.

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"There are real challenges to resolving these problems because of the legal framework in place. Having taken steps to encourage legislative change, the council has asked its local area committees to identify the worst and most noticeable examples of disrepair in their communities and now wants community councils and services across the council to share their local knowledge.

"Tackling this issue is linked to regeneration of our town centres and villages and local people and businesses are, quite rightly, fed up with these eyesore properties."

Councillor Laird added: "At a time of ongoing budget cuts we have to develop a collaborative approach to tackle this issue which makes best use of council resources. However, ultimately we are relying on owners being prepared to work with the Council as it may not be realistic for the Council to be banker of last resort."

(JP/IT)