The Lochgelly Town Centre Regeneration scheme has been awarded first place in two categories at the Planning and Placemaking Awards.

The regeneration of Lochgelly which led to the winning of the Promoting Economic Growth and overall Scottish Region awards, has been a collaborative effort between Ore Valley Group, ECD Architects and Purvis Group, and has led to better commercial, residential and leisure facilities for the town.

Key elements of the regeneration include the restoration and refurbishment of the Miners' Institute (winner of a RICS Scotland Award 2009) and the building of Ore Valley's state-of-the-art Business Centre, which won a VIBES award in 2014. The two buildings now house 16 local businesses and charities.

Other Lochgelly projects highlighted for the awards include the new parade of flats and commercial units on Main Street, as well as housing developments by Ore Valley and Fife Council such as the Town House development site in the heart of the town.

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Cllr. Mark Hood, Chair of the Cowdenbeath Area Committee has expressed his delight at Lochgelly Town Centre Regeneration work securing two of these national awards commenting: "The collaborative work, investment and commitment that has gone into Lochgelly over a number of years to help secure quality development and opportunities for the community, is first class and unrelenting.

"Every one of the Community Planning Partners continues to work tirelessly for Lochgelly, helping to deliver much needed new housing as well as commercial and leisure opportunities. These developments alongside others such as the new closed loop cycle circuit and investment in nearby Lochore Meadows continues to make Lochgelly an attractive place to live, work and visit."

CEO of Ore Valley Group, Andrew Saunders added: "The multiple projects resulting in these awards although delivered separately were part of a masterplan developed in 2001 in a partnership of the local community, Fife Council and ECD Architects. A significant difference has been made to Lochgelly which has only been possible due to partners' commitment and funding from the European Union, Scottish Government and Ore Valley Group"

Also mentioned in the awards were designs for the Fife Council led project for the restoration, refurbishment and extension of St Andrews Church into Fife's Regional Indoor Climbing and Bouldering Centre - works for which are expected to start on site mid-August.

(MH)