The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Bankie Park worries expressed to MP as he canvasses local opinion
More than 40 Anstruther and Cellardyke residents made their opposition to plans for a new care home in part of Bankie Park plain to their MP in a public surgery.
Locals have reacted strongly to proposals by Fife Council and Fife Health and Social Care Partnership for a new care home to be sited in the area.
The home, which would replace the existing Ladywalk building, would be part of a wider investment in care home facilities across Fife.
However, the potential site has angered local residents as it would remove a large amount of green space from Bankie Park, an area popular with all age ranges.
Local MP Stephen Gethins questioned the plans after hearing local people’s concerns.
He said: “Bankie Park is an excellent community asset that has been improved over the years by investment made following community fundraising.
“The facilities on offer are first-rate and I agree that it would be a very serious error if Anstruther was to lose any of its remaining green space.
“While I understand new care facilities are required in order to fulfil demand, I think it would be sensible to reconsider the siting of this proposed home.
Gillian MacLaren, from Cellardyke, said: “Even if the current care home site was returned to parkland, the whole dynamic of the park would be altered in a way that limits its use.
Daryl Wilson, from Anstruther, added: “Anstruther has already been identified as having well below the recommended amount of green space. To reduce this even further would be causing permanent, irreparable damage to our community.”