Kirkcaldy is Set to scoop a £20million windfall to kickstart the transformation of the town centre and waterfront.

The money is the maximum allocation available from the UK Government’s Growth Mission Fund.

The Lang Toun’s allocation will be officially revealed when Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, presents her Budget on November 26, but the Press understands that Kirkcaldy will emerge with the top level of funding.

Sources close to the office of Melanie Ward MP say they are “confident” the town will emerge as one of the big winners after being one of only three across the UK to be granted priority status to the £240m pot which runs from 2026/27 to 2029/30 to support projects that enable local job creation and the economic regeneration of local communities.

Removing derelict buildings and create new opportunities for investors forms part of the masterplan and work ahs started to tear down the Esplanade multi-storey car parks (Pic: Fife Council)

placeholder image — Removing derelict buildings and create new opportunities for investors forms part of the masterplan and work ahs started to tear down the Esplanade multi-storey car parks (Pic: Fife Council)

A £20million investment would be the biggest in the town centre yet - and a potential game-changer in the bid to also attract additional private investment..

How it will be used will depend heavily on Fife Council’s masterplan which will form the business case that goes before the UK Government.

Work on it has been going on for a number of months, with Ms Ward playing a key role after securing the town’s priority status, along with the towns of Peterborough and Southport.

She has also held meetings in Fife and London to drive the Lang Toun’s case for significant funding, and the £20million fund will be the reward as long as the council’s business case is accepted.

Melanie Ward on Kirkcaldy High Street (Pic: Submitted)

It has engaged two sets of consultants and said it is committed to a plan that “reflects the ambitions of our community and creates real, lasting change.”

There have been consultations with local groups, while Ms Ward’s own survey garnered the views of some 700 people all of which were fed into the process.

The Labour politician has been pressing the council for a package of action that would take “a significant step forward” in improving the town centre - and is adamant that it must also respond to the feedback generated so far.

Council officers are at an advanced stage in preparing the town’s masterplan which it said addressed the feedback from the MP’s consultations which called for a more attractive waterfront with space for businesses; a town centre more welcoming to visitors, and demolishing derelict buildings and replacing them with more modern ones - work to tear down the Esplanade multi-storey car parks is already underway.

Councillor David Ross, leader of Fife Council said: “This is a transformative opportunity for Kirkcaldy.

"Our submission reflects the ambition of our communities and the potential of our town. Preparation of this detailed submission is the next stage in enabling us to draw down up to £20m from the UK Government that has been earmarked for Kirkcaldy, depending on suitable proposals being submitted.

"I am confident that on the basis of our submission, this funding will be confirmed and we can press on with delivery of our proposals - but this is only one step towards the long term transformation of Kirkcaldy and we will continue to work closely with local people to shape what comes next.”