Fife Councillors have given the go-ahead to start work on detailed designs and a funding package for the proposed new Heritage and Cultural Centre in Dunfermline.

At the Policy, Finance & Asset Management Committee, it was agreed to commit an additional £500,000 to this project, as part of the Council's 08 - 11 Capital Investment Strategy.

This is in addition to the resources already in the investment plan to fund the initial design work required to secure a successful outcome to a bid for Heritage Lottery funding.

Cllr Elizabeth Riches who chaired the committee said: "I was delighted this capital investment was agreed. Improving our sporting, leisure and cultural opportunities is one of our eight priorities.

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"This additional money will fund the archaeological investigations in the summer of 2010 and the first phase of contract works for the Heritage and Cultural Centre which will commence in January 2011. "

Councillor Brian Goodall, Chair of the Housing & Communities Committee, was equally delighted to be the bearer of this good news to the people of Dunfermline and Fife.

"The Heritage and Cultural Centre will be a flagship project for the centre of Dunfermline. It will be a centrepiece of the Heritage Quarter, and a gateway to all the many attractions Dunfermline has to offer residents and tourists.

"It will bring together the strengths of the current Carnegie Library and the potential of an imaginative Museum and Gallery. We have an opportunity now to design and build a truly great heritage and cultural centre for this and future generations," said Cllr Goodall.

Internationally renowned and Edinburgh-based architect Richard Murphy was last year chosen to lead the design work for the new Centre. His innovative and unique design proposal will now be refined and worked on to create a building and service fit for the 21st century and beyond.

The entire project is expected to cost in the region of £13 million, and should be completed for opening in 2013.

(GK/JM)