A group of Travellers have set up an “eye-catching” camp at Leven swimming pool.
Around 10 caravans, along with horses, pygmy goats, dogs, ducks and chickens, appeared at the town centre site on Sunday and created a temporary stop-off point.
The car park had been home to a mobile testing station, operated by the Scottish Ambulance Service, since the start of February.
It has now been moved to the Shorehead, although this was said to be a planned move ahead of the swimming pool reopening on April 26 and not as a result of the Travellers.
Contractors working on the new Levenmouth Rail Link are also based at the pool car park.
Two large horses have been tied to trees and can be seen grazing, while small fires have been set on the grass.
It doesn’t cost anything to be nice. That’s the way we see it.”
Traveller John Lee.
Some locals have expressed concern, suggesting the swimming pool is not a suitable site for such a large encampment.
Labour councillor Colin Davidson called for the group to move on before the pool reopens.
“I’m unhappy they’ve moved in when we’re trying to reopen the leisure centre,” he said.
“We need to get it reopened and get people healthy and we clearly can’t do that if there’s an encampment with animals tied to trees outside it.”
Mr Davidson added: “I would ask them to move to another site with the support of Fife Council.
“There’s also a question over how far they’ve come when travel restrictions are still in place.”
However, the Travellers themselves say they are not causing any trouble and will stay until they are moved on.
‘Proud of our heritage’
Traveller John Lee confirmed the group arrived on Sunday.
“We’re Romany Gypsies and we’re very proud of our heritage,” he said.
“We’re from Wales and we’re all one family. We’re not causing trouble.
“It doesn’t cost anything to be nice. That’s the way we see it.”
He said the group used the horses with traps, while the other animals travel in the caravans.
Asked how long they planned to stay, Mr Lee said: “How long is a piece of string?
“We’ll stay until we’re told to move on.”
Reassurance
Both Fife Council and police visited the camp in response to local enquiries.
Inspector Paul Gillespie said the police have no concerns.
He described the camp as immaculate and added: “The residents are caring for their property and the surrounding landscape.
“The camp is particularly eye-catching as there are horses, goats, ducks and chickens present.
“On initial checks, these animals are well cared for and there are no obvious concerns.”
Mr Gillespie said police would carry out regular patrols in the area for reassurance to the people in the camp and also the wider public.