Architect's report raises questions about Cardenden Travellers' site plan
Fife Council is reconsidering a proposed Cardenden Travellers' site over concerns about escalating costs.
- Published in the Courier : 02.02.12
- Published online : 04.02.12 @ 10.38am
It is understood plans to set up a stopover site for Travellers at Pitcairn, north-west of the village, are being reviewed following an architect's report which revealed they would be expensive to deliver.
The site has not been ruled out, but the council is now looking at three alternative sites close to Pitcairn.
Councillors are set to visit the sites in the coming weeks to assess their suitability.
Local councillor Mark Hood said the report had served to highlight the same concerns raised by residents over the past year and a half.
He said: ''The architect concluded that the Pitcairn site could be developed, but the costs would be considerable.
''The community has been saying this for the past 12 to 18 months — saying that it's not the right site and it would be expensive. Why bring in expensive consultants to come to the same conclusion as the community?
''The architect was on site with officers from the council and noticed there was other land in the vicinity that might be more appropriate. I've been invited along on a site visit to look at other sites.''
Mr Hood said the situation suggested the council had not fully explored the available options for stopover sites.
The council intends to provide sites for Travellers at Cardenden and Crail. Each would have space for six to eight caravans.
Public consultation meetings are set to be held on completion of detailed site plans.
Mr Hood added: ''If they are looking at other sites in the vicinity, I would like to see them making sure that the community is on board with the consultation process as soon as possible.''
Council housing manager John Mills said the authority was listening to residents.
''In terms of Cardenden there are various concerns which have been raised by the local community about site access, traffic on the main road and site drainage,'' he said.
''We've agreed to look at potential alternatives within the vicinity. We will compare Pitcairn with these sites to see if we can address the concerns raised by the local community.
''No decision has been made — it's a work in progress. We are trying to take on board what has been asked of us by the community. We're clearly not going to deliver larger sites. There would be between six to eight caravans, so sites would be limited in scale.''
Add a comment