A not-for-profit development organisation that was set up to realise “unmet” improvement opportunities in Cupar town centre, is continuing to plan for the future while being realistic about the likely practical and financial impact of coronavirus in coming years.
Cupar Development Trust (CDT) is continuing to work on the town’s “well advanced” arrival and interpretive signage.
“Designs are progressing well, including a new digital map of Cupar,” said CDT member Bill Pagan.
“The signage, in six places in the town, will include QR Codes which can be scanned to link to additional information selected by the visitor.
“CDT will work with other organisations in the town to develop trails catering to various interests, and the entire project has taken into account the needs of the less mobile and the visually impaired.”
However, speaking after the trust held its second meeting of 2020 – held remotely because of Covid-19 – Mr Pagan said there was a question mark over whether a children’s day and concert, funded by Fife Cultural Trust and celebrating the old Scots Language in medieval Cupar – would be able to go ahead in September due to uncertainties over coronavirus.
The event has also been organised to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Duncan Institute, where display cases are due to be installed to display facsimiles of works by two of Cupar’s famous 16th century sons who wrote in Old Scots – the playwright Sir David Lindsay and his historian cousin Robert Lindsay.
Mr Pagan said the virus has provided impetus to update CDT’s presence on social media, and its website is being updated, with welcome guidance from CuparNow.
Detailed plans for the ambitious Inner Court and Gap Site project, supported by Fife Council, and led by Kingdom Housing, were also continuing to be discussed by Fife Council officials.
The ideas for Inner Court were first displayed publicly during a 2016 charrette, which was well attended and supported by local people.
Mr Pagan added: “CDT hope that the development will not only re-purpose a derelict area in the town centre but also provide an extended network of pedestrian closes for public use – an aspect of the town which is nationally recognised.
“The CDT board is discussing landscape possibilities with its project partners, and hopes that the issue of waste management and pavement obstructions will be taken into account – this is being discussed also with ABCD, Cupar’s Businesses Association.”
The board also discussed possibilities for better ‘greening’ of the town, both at its approaches and closer to the centre, and considered other sites which require improvement.
