Consultation extended on proposal for Bankie Park

Consultation on a controversial proposal for a new care home in Anstruther’s Bankie Park has been extended.

Fife Health and Social Care Partnership said comments on the preferred location for replacing ageing Ladywalk House would be accepted until August 31 and that another community drop-in session would be held.

Assurance was also offered at a meeting of Anstruther Community Council that questions raised about using part of Bankie Park and the other potential sites would be answered.

Around 60 people attended the meeting, addressed by the partnership’s divisional manager David Heaney.

Following the meeting, a statement was issued by the three councillors for East Neuk and Landward, John Docherty, Linda Holt and Bill Porteous.

They said: “Bankie Park is a place much loved by families and children and it is particularly precious in an area which has been designated as lacking adequate green space.

“There are many questions still to be answered about possible options and we look forward to Fife Council answering these questions.”

A campaign, Keep Bankie Park Green, has been launched to fight the use of the popular park for a new care home.

Those against the proposal say Anstruther has a shortage of green space and the community has worked hard to improve the park.

The partnership said the adjacent site of Ladywalk House would be returned to parkland. Consultation was due to close at the end of this month but there was criticism that it was being conducted during the holidays.