Council chiefs scotch latest rumour of care home on Fife park

No plans to revisit Bankie option, say healthcare bosses

Health and social care chiefs have claimed a popular Anstruther park will not be reintroduced as a possible site for a new care home.

The Courier revealed earlier this week the Fife health and social care partnership has been unable to find a suitable alternative location for Ladywalk House, which is in urgent need of replacement.

A year has passed with little progress, but local rumours have surfaced that Bankie Park – which was rejected following a public outcry 12 months ago – may be brought back to the table.

David Heaney, divisional general manager from the Fife health and social care partnership, said 10 different sites in and around Anstruther had been considered over the past two years, and suggested Bankie Park is not currently an option given the public opposition last year.

He said: “We have continued to work on securing a site over the past year and have reviewed a number of other options in and around the Anstruther area, however a suitable alternative has not yet been found.

“We are now actively exploring whether we can redevelop the existing site at Ladywalk House.

“Discussions with Fife Council housing and property services colleagues are at an early stage and no decision has yet been reached.”

The plans were echoed by Councillor David Graham, Fife Council’s health and social care spokesman.

“During the original consultation with the community regarding Bankie Park I gave a personal commitment to the community in Anstruther that we would listen to their concerns,” he said.

“They voiced their concerns and I stood at a community meeting and ruled out Bankie Park as an option then and that is still the case now. There are no plans to revisit that option.”

However, ex-community council member Jim Braid is one of the locals who has advocated Bankie Park as the replacement site and is calling for it to be reconsidered.

“It is my opinion that building the home on the south side of the park will cause the least disruption to the residents of the home,” he said.

“Discussions with Fife Council housing and property services colleagues are at an early stage and no decision has yet been reached. DAVID HEANEY

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Bankie Park in Anstruther is popular with locals and tourists.