PLANS FOR a new building for Craigencalt Ecology Centre at Kinghorn Loch has deepened the rift with its landlords.

The centre wants to create new premises at the east end of the loch to support its programme of volunteering and training schemes, environmental education and community events.

It is currently renting buildings at Craigencalt Farm, but relations with the owners have soured to the extent that when its lease runs out in 2014 it will not be renewed.

And Craigencalt’s owners are objecting to the new-build proposal, on the grounds it would be an eyesore in a designated Area of Greater Landscape Value (AGLV).

In a letter to Fife Council, Craigencalt co-owner Diana Neil said, “How could the planning department allow such an application on land which has been designated as of greater landscape value and therefore not to be built upon?

“How can an ‘ecological’ enterprise even consider building on a precious green area which at present surrounds the loch and which in itself is part of a future Local Nature Reserve?

“How can the KCLA, which is intimately bound up with the Ecology Centre, as admitted by themselves, go directly against their stated intent, ‘To protect the land from development,’ and proceed to build a very large structure which will be a visual invasion to all visitors to the loch.”

Another of the co-owners, Chris Holland, said, “The Ecology Centre is only building a new building because they have been so bad at looking after their present one. This is all about the Ecology Centre and not at all about amenity.”

In a joint statement, the owners hinted that they would prefer to run an ecology centre themselves without the input of the current management team.

They said, “We, the owners, have always been committed to an ecology centre and there are enough capable and committed people (who have already offered support) to continue and expand the excellent work of the true workers at the present Ecology Centre.

“We would love to work with the board of the Ecology Centre, but it would have to change its attitude to community organisations and landowners and the quality of care and resources in its charge if it is to be trusted with our land and steading in the future.”

The Ecology Centre has been in talks with Kinghorn Developments, who own the land earmarked for the new building, and a community buy-out of the land has been mooted.

Kinghorn Community Land Association (KCLA) has been working closely with the Ecology Centre to realise the plans, which have been developed with the help of a grant from the Climate Change Fund.

Simpson & Brown Architects are behind the design of the proposed centre and have submitted a statement in support of the plans to the council.

The firm stated, “A feasibility study for the new centre has been carried out, supported by Big Lottery Investing in Ideas and Fife Council.

“Following successful completion of that work in 2008, the Climate Change Fund has funded the development of these plans.

“The form and position of the building has been carefully considered so to ensure that it has a minimal visual impact on the site.”