Community rejection of the £1 million visitor centre planned for Lochore Meadows Country Park has forced Fife Council to think again.
Designs for the new hub have been likened to a prison cell block and there was anger locally at the lack of public consultation.
Work was about to begin on demolishing the old centre to make way for the new when a furore broke out over the project, part of a £1.8m investment in the popular attraction known locally as the Meedies.
Anger escalated when during a promised three week pause for consultation, planning permission was granted for the centre, which would be smaller than the existing structure but have a larger café.
After a community vote in Benarty to oppose the building as designed and seek an improved proposal, the council said it would reconsider its options.
Councillor Mark Hood said: “We acknowledge that local community opinion on the proposal as it stands is quite split.
“We will now take some time to consider the feedback further, as well as our options, before making a firm decision on how we take this forward.
“I must stress that everyone is very committed to improving facilities in Lochore Meadows Country Park and appreciate the investment that is being made by Fife Council, we just need to consider how best to take this forward.”
Lorna Bett, of Benarty Community Forum, said Mr Hood had previously promised that if the community remained unhappy with amended designs the building would not be erected.
The group and Lochore Meadows Panel have now demanded an urgent meeting with council leader Cllr David Ross.
Lorna said: “The community fears that the council may try to push this project through regardless, even though there has been no input from communities into the design process and the vast majority in Benarty want the chance to develop something better.
“Communities have been excluded from this project from the start, but there is now a chance for Cllr Ross to put them at the heart of it if he will meet them.”
Lochgelly community activist James Glen said: “There have been systematic failings by Fife Council to engage with residents on one of the most important assets in Central Fife.
“The Benarty community is making itself heard and Cllr Mark Hood has promised to listen.
“Yet the surrounding communities of Lochgelly, Lumphinnans, Cowdenbeath and Kelty continue to be excluded from the democratic process.
“There has been zero consultation in Lochgelly about the new visitor centre.”
Lochore Meadows Country Park is considered the jewel in the crown of the local area and attracts around 500,000 users each year, with around a fifth expected to use the new centre.
