Work on an important historic building in Dysart on Friday marked the launch of an £11m regeneration initiative for the community.

The Tolbooth is the first building to benefit from the £1.6m funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, through the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) and the £395,000 funding awarded by Historic Scotland through the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS). The project has also attracted match funding from Fife Council’s Development Services.

It aims to improve Dysart's historic built environment through a series of repairs to buildings and public areas in its conservation area. The funding package will also support the development of a number of other projects including major transformation works to the harbour and attractive new housing being developed by Fife Housing Association on gap sites in the centre of the burgh.

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The Tolbooth is a focal point for the Dysart community. It has played a key role throughout the history of the burgh and though it is not proposed to re-open the jail, the building requires substantial repair and needs to be made more accessible to both the community and to visitors.

The scheme will run over the next five years and will be managed by Fife Historic Buildings Trust, in partnership with Fife Council’s Development Services.

The project will also deliver wider benefits as a result of the ambitious training scheme with Fife Council Building Services who will be undertaking the work. The project will provide practical experience in stone masonry and lime rendering for apprentices and young crafts people within Building Services and help conserve the traditional building skills required to maintain Council Assets and Fife's Heritage for the future.

Local Councillor Kay Carrington, said: "This project is the culmination of many years hard work from various community groups and Fife Council to regenerate the area and it is very fulfilling that work is now starting on The Tolbooth."

Marilyn Livingstone, MSP, added: "The much needed improvements to the harbour and of course new and improved housing are also imperative to the success of the regeneration of our village."

Residents can also benefit from the small grants scheme, which will be available for repairs of traditional and listed buildings and reinstatement of architectural details.

The project has also received additional funding from the Fife Environment Trust, the Kingslaw Trust and the Dysart Facelift Trust. The gap site redevelopment is in partnership with Communities Scotland.

(GK/JM)