The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Derelict doocot plans take flight with cash for East Neuk village
Grant of £8,000 will help improve the area and give doocot a new lease of life
An old doocot could be restored and a community orchard created as part of a north-east Fife village’s ambition to improve the area.
Boarhills has received a grant of £8,000 from the Scottish Land Fund to explore opportunities for making the area a better place to live.
A new lease of life for the dilapidated B-listed doocot is at the heart of the plans.
Land adjacent to Fife Coastal Path has also been identified for creation of a community orchard and recreation area.
It is intended this area could be used by local people and walkers on the popular route, with access provided to toilets.
Boarhills and Dunino Community Trust, which was formed last year, is to use the money from the land fund to conduct a feasibility study into restoration of the 17th Century doocot and draw up a business plan to pave the way for bringing their vision to life.
A trust spokesperson said: “We are delighted to have been awarded funding which enables us to determine how best to take forward the community’s ideas for this area.”
The land involved is currently the subject of a community right to buy application.
A postal ballot will be carried out this month to determine the level of support for the land purchase.
In 2015 a community survey highlighted a lack of access to green space in the village.
Architects Simpson and Brown have been appointed to evaluate the cost of restoring the doocot and business consultants SKS Scotland will help trust members to draw up the business plan.
The Scottish Land Fund offers grants to help communities take ownership of land and buildings that matter to them, as well as practical support to develop their aspirations into viable projects.
We are delighted to have been awarded funding which enables us to determine how best to take forward the community’s ideas for this area