Fife community celebrates Boarhills buy-out success.

Ambitious plans to transform area into green space

A Fife community trust is celebrating approval of its community right-to-buy application.

Scottish Ministers have given consent for Boarhills and Dunino Community Trust (BDCT) to buy the land north of No 3 Boarhills Farm Cottages.

The trust has ambitious plans to transform the area.

This trust applied to buy the land to provide a community green space which can be used for recreation and an orchard.

The site also contains a derelict B-listed 17th Century doocot.

The community hopes in time to restore this important historic building, making it accessible to all.

The area is adjacent to the Fife Coastal Path, and the group also intends to provide access to toilet facilities and water for the thousands of coastal path walkers who pass the site each year.

Information on the area and interpretation boards will also be installed.

A trust spokesperson said: “We are delighted at this decision by Scottish Ministers.

“It follows a community ballot in which an overwhelming 78% of those who voted were in favour of the green space proposals.

“It also offers the community an opportunity to turn an area which has been an eyesore for many years into an asset which can be enjoyed by all.

“The widespread support for the project is also indicated by the fact that over half of those living in the community trust area have now joined BDCT, giving us more than 150 members.”

The trust is exploring funding options with the assistance of the Scottish Land Fund, which offers grants to help communities take ownership of land or buildings which matter to them.

Earlier this year it received an £8,000 grant from the fund to explore opportunities for making the area a better place to live.

The plans came on the back of a community survey held in 2015 which highlighted a lack of access to green space in the village.

“Over half of those living in the community trust area have now joined BDCT, giving us more than 150 members.

TRUST SPOKESPERSON