Over-reaction to care home plan

Sir, – Your report concerning the opposition of some Anstruther people to the

proposed rebuilding of Ladywalk Care Home – (“Campaigners spell out opposition over home”, The Courier, July 7) reminded me of a similar scare story some 30 years ago.

The then Fife Regional Council proposed converting part of The Folly and some waste ground at East Shore into car parking spaces to boost tourism.

Soon a petition appeared in local shops, a protest meeting was arranged and fears expressed that harbour views would be spoiled, Anstruther would become another Blackpool, and even that the tide might stop coming into the harbour!

Fortunately wiser counsel prevailed, the car parks were laid out and today they are very busy.

But so are the ice cream and chip shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, the Scottish Fisheries Museum and the Lifeboat Station – all greatly benefiting the local economy.

One objector to the current Ladywalk Home proposals claims that Anstruther would be left with “almost no green space”. Yet your report makes clear that while Bankie Park could change shape, it would not lose any of its green space area, as it would gain exactly the same amount of land it would lose.

What is in danger here is not Bankie Park but Ladywalk House. A building that for nearly 40 years has provided loving care to our elderly and vulnerable senior citizens now needs modernisation.

Hysterical overreaction without careful consideration of the replacement plans is not at all helpful.

W W Motion. Bankside, St Andrews Road, Anstruther.