Community council calls for alternative to Pitcairn travellers' site
A proposal to set up a temporary travellers' site on the outskirts of a Fife village continues to cause concern among residents.
- By Craig Smith
- Published in the Courier : 25.02.11
- Published online : 25.02.11 @ 03.08pm
Fife Council is looking at a number of possible sites which could accommodate gypsy travellers over the summer period in particular, with the main criteria for the stop-over sites being close proximity to the A92 dual carriageway.
One of those with potential is understood to be at the former Bowbridge landfill site at Pitcairn near Cardenden, although a revised risk assessment is being progressed as to the suitability of the location.
As the location is a former landfill site, the presence of landfill gas was detected during an environmental services assessment in 2006 — although no appreciable methane was found.
At the moment the land is used for cattle but David Taylor, secretary of Cardenden Community Council, has expressed the group's concerns about the suitability of the earmarked site.
"Cardenden is signposted from the Kirkcaldy West junction of the A92, which will mean the travellers negotiating the proposed major roadworks scheduled at Cluny," he said. "They will then have to travel through the main streets of Cardenden itself to reach the site on the west side of the village.
"The proposed site is next to the River Ore, which is prone to flooding, and the entrance to the site is located on a hazardous double bend on a busy main road. The site was a former waste tip and contamination tests should to be carried out to determine its suitability.
"Last year a large group of travellers descended on the village, resulting in police intervention and causing concerns with local residents. The local community is to be consulted on this matter but it was felt that an alternative location should be considered."
Lochgelly and Cardenden councillor Mark Hood said he hopes the concerns raised will be taken into account when any proposals are moved forward.
Meanwhile Cardenden Community Council is to meet on Tuesday at 7pm in the Bowhill Centre to discuss the Purvis Group's planning applications for a recycling and restoration centre at Jamphlars.
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