The work has involved sensitive restoration retaining and restoring many of the original features of the building.

Cllr Judy Hamilton, executive spokesperson for housing & building services, said: “The restoration of the Town House is an excellent example of the high quality work being carried out by Fife Council Building Services. The Town House was in very serious disrepair with dry rot throughout and significant areas that had collapsed.

“During the restoration the team faced major challenges to reconstruct the stairwell, the old committee rooms and the roof with joiners working meticulously from photographs to deliver the fabulous finish we can see now. The roof has been completely re-constructed using specially selected slate and the dome section required special heritage approval. The new double glazed sash and case windows were custom made and installed by Fife Council’s Joiners Workshop.

“It’s wonderful to see the building proudly restored to its former glory and because it is a landmark building in the town centre its reinstatement helps to generate pride in the community and confidence in the local economy.

“The site also has over 20 new build homes, in addition to the regeneration of the Town House and they will all contribute to providing warmer, drier, healthier homes that will help to reduce fuel poverty and improve living standards for residents.”

In 2010 the Lochgelly Charrette made recommendations that are now being realised in the Lochgelly Town Centre’s regeneration programme. This includes a mix of one and two bedroomed affordable homes, with those within the Town House managed by Ore Valley Enterprises and the new build flats managed by Fife Council. The development contributes towards Fife Council’s wider commitment of delivering 2,700 new affordable homes by May 2017.