Trained mediators are to be brought in to improve relations between residents of a Fife village and the operators of a nearby quarry.
Specialist company Core Solutions has been appointed by Fife Council to help settle the differences between the people of Leslie and the Skene Group, which operates Lomond Quarry.
The move follows a catalogue of complaints from locals about explosions at the quarry which, they claimed, were damaging their homes and affecting their health.
However, an independent report has this week vindicated the company’s activities after concluding that blasting could not be linked to damage at nearby houses or to health problems.
The conclusion follows years of monitoring by an outside company and council officers who looked at noise, dust and vibration levels and inspected cracks in properties.
Despite that, some bad feeling remains and it was considered that talks between local people and the Skene Group would be of benefit.
The council’s development manager Jim Birrell yesterday said that a meeting had been arranged for December 8.
In a report before members of Glenrothes area committee, Mr Birrell said: “It is recommended that mediation is considered as a route to achieving a more productive relationship between Lomond Quarry and its closest neighbours in Leslie.
“Participation in this process should not be taken to indicate a lack of understanding but as a neutral route to improving the relationship between the residents and the quarry.
“The mediation should be provided by appropriately qualified and independent mediation professionals.”
While residents will be invited to attend next month’s meeting, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for those worst affected by the blasting will not be offered. It had been recommended that the council should consider CBT for residents free of charge to help them cope with unwanted noise and to reduce stress.
However, only two people expressed an interest in taking up the therapy and Mr Birrell said this was not enough to justify a referral.
Glenrothes councillor Kay Morrison questioned the decision, stating: “Does that mean if there are not enough people, we aren’t interested?
“I hope we’re not saying we’re dropping it simply because there’s not enough anguish about.
“I would have thought that if they have contacted us in response to our inquiry about CBT, that’s an indication these people do require some sort of help.”
Mr Birrell added: “We have fully considered it and the advice, which will be sent out in a letter as a first port of call, is to see their medical practitioner.
“The advice we have from experts is that before you do undertake specialist CBT it has to be signed off by a medical practitioner because it depends on your medical history.”
Lomond Quarry supplies sand and gravel to the construction industry and employs 250 people.
During the monitoring period 14 officials from the council observed operations there on both blast and non-blast days and concluded that they do not constitute a statutory nuisance.
Every blast bar one has been monitored since 2012 and the local authority said the measurements of noise, dust and vibrations fell within acceptable limits.