The resident-led community group, My Cowdenbeath, has written to the UK and Scottish Governments to seek urgent investment in growth for the area, following ExxonMobil’s announcement they are to close the Mossmorran plant.
Shell’s Fife NGL Plant is apparently unaffected by the Exxon announcement at this time, but reportedly up to 400 jobs could be affected by the Ethylene Plant closure, with the first 70-80 jobs going in April 2026.
In a letter sent to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes MSP and Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander MP, the group has sought guarantees of more than £40m of investment. The letter was also sent to the Leader of Fife Council, Cllr David Ross, who is expected to chair the Mossmorran Taskforce.
The group have asked the UK Government to select Cowdenbeath Area as the recipient of its £20m Pride in Place Neighbourhood Fund previously announced coming to Fife. They have asked the Scottish Government to match this, with funds being spread over 10 years to invest in various initiatives and projects to boost economic growth and jobs in the area.
My Cowdenbeath have also asked the Scottish Government to give the recent £176,000 fine imposed on ExxonMobil for flaring back to the community for a 2026 Growth Fund to benefit community projects.
My Cowdenbeath’s Director, Stuart Duffy said:
“I think we were all shocked at the announcement made by ExxonMobil in November and our first thoughts immediately turn to the workers, contractors and those in the supply chain for the plant.
“We are encouraged that early work has been done to establish the Taskforce, but were disappointed there were no attendees from the local community invited. We’ve asked for this to change moving forward.
“The impact of the closure, with a gradual winding down from April 2026 will inevitably have an impact on the local economy, so we’re asking for measures and investment to support local growth.
“We all know the area suffered as a result of the mines closing many years ago, and there’s been a real lack of a coherent industrial strategy for the area, so we want to see action, not talk.
“Poverty has a grip in so many of our neighbourhoods across the wider Cowdenbeath Area, so we hope that with the attention and focus on the Mossmorran closure, this could lead to a proper conversation about what the area needs.
“Lots of work has gone into the various Local Place Plans across our communities, with the Cowdenbeath plan due to be published in the new year. Any forthcoming investment must take account of these local priorities so people feel their area is improving and prospects for jobs and a positive future are within reach.”
The group is to launch a community survey shortly to gather the views from local residents on the future of Mossmorran, the results of which will be fed into the Taskforce conversations and shared with decision makers and politicians.
Stuart is encouraging everyone to reach out to their local MP and MSPs to make their views known on the Mossmorran closure known, and share how it will impact local towns and villages.
“It’s vital that local folk have a voice in this process. For years the Mossmorran site has been a challenging neighbour for many of us to say the least, but love it or loathe it, the plant brought money into the local economy, so we must fight to ensure there’s a plan for growth when it eventually closes.”
My Cowdenbeath CIC 