Councillor withdraws his support for a care home on Bankie Park

Move comes after petition to save the well-used green space attracts nearly 1,800 signatures

An East Neuk councillor has changed his stance on a controversial care home proposal amid widespread opposition.

Councillor Bill Porteous appeared to back construction of the £6 million care home on Bankie Park in Anstruther, which he described as a chance for the community.

But in light of a petition to protect Bankie Park, which has gathered almost 1,800 signatures, Liberal Democrat Mr Porteous announced he had withdrawn his support for use of the popular green space.

Fife Health and Social Care Partnership and Fife Council are consulting on the replacement for the town’s Ladywalk House care home, with Bankie Park the preferred location.

If the facility is built there the site of adjacent Ladywalk House would be

“It is clear to me now that a large number of folk in Anstruther are not in favour of the ‘pitch and switch’ proposal suggested. COUNCILLOR BILL PORTEOUS

returned to parkland to compensate.

However, those involved in the Keep Bankie Park Green campaign are outraged at the potential loss of an area of the well-used park in an area where they say there is already a shortage of green space.

Mr Porteous said: “While the consultation period for proposals does not end until late August it is clear to me now that a large number of folk in Anstruther are not in favour of the ‘pitch and switch’ proposal suggested.

“Therefore I withdraw my support for any proposal that affects Bankie Park.

“However, I will continue to work strenuously with my political colleagues and Fife Council officers to provide a new care home within central Anstruther that can meet the needs of residents, their relatives and the loyal staff working there.”

Fellow East Neuk and Landward councillor Linda Holt wrote in a letter to The Courier that councillors were unable to commit to vote against a future planning application.

The Conservative councillor explained that expressing a view one way or the other in advance would debar members from taking part in the discussion and vote on a planning application.

All three local councillors are members of Fife Council’s north-east planning committee which is likely to determine a planning application for the home.

Picture: Steven Brown. Objectors to the facility are striving to save the children’s play area.