Anglers have netted a U-turn on controversial plans to axe fishing at one of Fife’s most popular locations.
Fife Council has agreed to continue stocking fish at Lochore Meadows for the coming season until it can secure a viable future for the site.
The surprise move follows an emergency motion at Cowdenbeath area committee this week, which overturns a previous decision to stop filling the loch with rainbow trout from today.
Fishing will remain free however, and any season tickets bought for 2016 will still be refunded.
Local councillor Mark Hood said the move would give the council a chance to talk to anglers about the possibility of forming a club which would take over the management of the loch.
“We don’t want to lose fishing at Lochore Meadows,” he said.
Mr Hood said that as part of the budget saving exercise, councillors from all parties had agreed to review fishing provision by Fife Council.
“It was only ever a review but what happened is a decision was taken by officers to stop doing any fishing,” he said.
“We have looked at the figures and have decided to use some of the devolved area money to continue to stock fish at Lochore Meadows to allow fishing to continue.
“Importantly, on the back of that we will have a consultation with the fishing community at Lochore Meadows to see if we can develop a sustainable model,” he said.
Mr Hood described the 260-acre loch as “an unenviable fishing spot” but said it had become clear the council was spending more than it was making from selling fishing permits.
“We will come up with a transition plan for the next year and try to make it more affordable,” he said.
“I think this is the best way forward.”
The decision to stop fishing at the loch was announced on March 13 in a statement released by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, which manages Lochore Meadows on behalf of Fife Council.
It said the trust was facing huge financial pressures and added: “Following the recent Fife Council budget meeting, the trust has been advised that funding to subsidise the fishery provision at Lochore Meadows will be removed from April 1, 2016.”
Fife Council is having to make £38 million of savings this financial year and has warned no service will be immune from cuts.