The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
People power triumphs as park is saved
ANSTRUTHER: Campaigners hail U-turn by authority as care home plan for popular Bankie Park is shelved
East Neuk people power has won a major victory in a fight to save a village park.
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership and Fife Council have signalled a U-turn in their bid to site a care home on Bankie Park in Anstruther.
The level of local opposition has led to an alternative plan being sought for a replacement for the ageing Ladywalk House.
Keep Bankie Park Green campaign spokesperson Susanne McElhinney said: “It’s been a huge community effort and I am proud to be part of such a strong community. We want to thank Fife Council for listening to the local people and making the right decision.
“It’s very important we keep the care home in the local area and we have offered our help to identify suitable sites.”
Councillor David Graham, spokesperson for the health and social care partnership said: “This process from the beginning has been about engaging with the community in an open, honest and transparent way.”
People power has saved a Fife park from having a care home built on it.
Outrage that part of Bankie Park in Anstruther could have been used for a new £6 million home saw a campaign launched against the proposal.
Fife Health and Social Care Partnership and Fife Council announced that due to the level of opposition, the location was off the table.
They are now considering other options for replacing the town’s ageing Ladywalk House.
Keep Bankie Park Green campaign spokesperson Susanne McElhinney said: “It’s been a huge community effort and I am proud to be part of such a strong community.
“We want to thank Fife Council for listening to the local people and making the right decision.
“It’s very important we keep the care home in the local area and we have offered our help to identify suitable sites.”
Fellow campaigner Graham Ellery said the group’s members were “overjoyed”.
The group gathered more than 2,000 signatures in an online petition.
Chairman of Kilrenny, Anstruther and Cellardyke Community Council, Andy Peddie said: “This was the correct decision for Anstruther.
“There still remains a big challenge to maintain the very high standard of care to our most vulnerable residents currently living in Ladywalk.
“We will work closely with Fife Council to find the best local location for the new care facility.”
East Neuk and Landward Conservative councillor Linda Holt said: “(The council) say communities are at the heart of what they do.
“It doesn’t always seem like that but it’s the right decision for Anstruther to safeguard this space.”
Fellow ward councillor, Liberal Democrat Bill Porteous said: “I will continue to work with my fellow councillors and Fife Council officers to find a suitable site and I believe preferably in central Anstruther.
SNP councillor John Docherty said: “I am pleased the right decision has been taken.”
Councillor David Graham, spokesperson for the health and social care partnership, said: “This process from the beginning has been about engaging with the community in an open, honest and transparent way.
“We rely on the community to share their views so we can help build on the services we provide in Fife and we appreciate the time taken to provide feedback.”
The Royal Burgh of Kilrenny, Anstruther and Cellardyke Community Centre has already suggested that land beside Skeith Medical Centre would be a more suitable location.
“We want to thank Fife Council for listening to the local people and making the right decision. SUSANNE MCELHINNEY, CAMPAIGNER