MORE than £36,000 is needed to preserve an 87-year-old Dunfermline landmark.

The building which currently hosts Fire Station Creative (FSC), an arts hub which has become essential to the city, was put in jeopardy earlier this year when render began to loosen from the facade.

Scaffolding has been obscuring the venue since July's heatwave, when the sudden rise in temperature caused a panel of roughcasting to come loose.

Now, gallery curator Ian Moir, who says he has a "duty to preserve" the "indispensable cultural asset", has submitted an application for funding, which is to be presented at next week's City of Dunfermline area committee.

He says that brickwork is spalling, causing the render to loosen due to the age of the building.

Ian told the Press: "We’re grateful to have received guidance from Fife Council about the best routes to grant funding.

"While we must also consider the architectural integrity of the building, public safety is always our top priority, so the scaffold will remain in place for as long as we (FSC) can afford to keep it there.

"Meanwhile, we will endeavour to raise funds as quickly as possible and get the facade of the building fully repaired.

"The fire station has proven to be an indispensable cultural asset and I feel we have a duty to preserve it for future generations."

A report submitted for consideration at the committee meeting outlines a request for a contribution of £36,212 of Dunfermline local community planning budget funding.

It reads: "With financial support, a roofing company will be commissioned to refurbish the entire facade of the building.

"This includes erecting scaffolding, removing loose rendering, and applying new roughcast to the walls.

"While public safety is the priority, the secondary aim is to keep the venue alive.

"FSC is a registered charity with insufficient funds to meet the costs of the renovation of the building.

"The charity is currently spending £240 per week on scaffolding."

The full project will cost £36,212, with the papers suggesting sufficient funding was available within the budget should the contribution be agreed.

The render is currently being analysed and matched by the Scottish Lime Centre Trust in Charlestown, with repairs due to proceed once this process is complete, funding is in place, and planning consent is given.

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.