Fife Council reaffirms pledge to bring down Lundin Links Hotel in Leven following fire

Fife Council has reaffirmed its pledge to bring down the remains of a derelict hotel that was ravaged by a blaze earlier this month.

Fire crews spent 17 hours battling the blaze at the Lundin Links Hotel in Leven on Thursday, August 18.

Following the blaze, the council confirmed that the remains of the listed building would have to be demolished “as soon as possible” on public safety grounds.

More than 150 people attended a specially organised public meeting on Monday afternoon which sought to update the local community on progress made towards the destruction of the old building.

Attended by representatives from Fife Council, Police Scotland and Middlebrooks, the liquidation company who are now responsible for the building, the meeting highlighted a number of concerns about the road closures and diversions put in place around the site.

Fife Council promised to review traffic management in response to community concerns, and it was confirmed that it would take three to four days to pull down the building once they are given the go ahead.

No date on the demolition has yet been set.

Nigel Kerr, head of protective services, said: “We continue to try and do everything we can to bring about a resolution so that the ongoing disruption can be brought to an end.

“We really welcome everybody’s time for coming along to the meeting and we will look into every issue that has been raised, such as traffic management, traffic speed and a number of others that have been brought to our attention.

“Public safety is our number one priority.

“Traffic diversions have been in place since the fire for safety reasons until the building can be demolished, and we appreciate the concerns that have been raised in terms of traffic management. As promised, we will review those measures.

“The council is in daily contact with Middlebrooks in a bid to get demolition of the building completed as quickly as possible and we will do everything in our power to work towards that goal.”

Police Scotland confirmed that two 15-year-old boys have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident, and the focus is now very much on returning the area to normal as soon as is practical.

Councillor Jan Wincott, council spokesperson for environment and climate change, who chaired Monday’s meeting, commented: “It’s clear that everybody wants this building down as quickly as possible, as safely as possible, and to get the road re-opened.

“We’re working with all parties to do that as soon as we possibly can.”