The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Village ‘unsuitable’ for Syrian refugees
KINGSBARNS: Council asked to reverse decision on proposal
Villagers who want to welcome Syrian refugees have been told they are too far from mosques, halal meat and other settlements to offer a suitable home.
Kingsbarns Community Council proposed that affordable homes under construction could be offered to those who had fled their home country.
But Fife Council told them the suggestion was impractical, despite the village’s proximity to multicultural St Andrews, where weekly Islamic prayers are led, and its bus links to Dundee.
The local authority has been urged by MP Stephen Gethins to reverse its decision on what he called the “highly commendable proposal”.
Community councillor Kate Holy insisted that “though Kingsbarns is rural, it is not remote”.
The council said it was unable to commit to using the properties which it is to purchase from the builder for a particular group.
A Fife community which wants to take in Syrian refugees has been told the village is unsuitable due to a lack of necessities including a mosque and halal meat.
Kingsbarns Community Council wanted affordable houses being built to be offered to those who had fled war in their home country if no local tenants needed them. However, it was advised that a refugee settlement in the East Neuk village would be “impractical” and remote from other Fife towns where people have been resettled.
Campaigners have questioned the reasoning. Community council member Kate Holy insisted that “though Kingsbarns is rural, it is not remote”.
She said: “We have easy access to St Andrews where the university’s Islamic Society holds Friday prayers or a bus can be taken to Dundee where there is a choice of mosques and halal butchers.
“St Andrews is probably the most international settlement in north-east Fife because of the numbers of students and teachers from overseas.”
She also criticised the local authority for failing to inform the community its proposal was contrary to Fife’s refugee settlement plan until almost four months after it was made.
North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins said: “It is important that Fife Council reconsiders its position and reacts positively to this generous gesture.”
Two affordable homes built during the first phase of development were sold as mainstream housing due to a lack of interest. The council has agreed to buy the two properties in the second phase.
Gavin Smith, housing access and homelessness service manager, said: “Kingsbarns Community Council’s offer to help refugee families is both commendable and appreciated.”
He added: “There are many people in need of housing and we can’t commit to using these properties for a particular customer group.