A clock tower that was at the centre of a ding-dong over its chimes is to be dismantled for safety reasons.
The B-listed structure at Burntisland Burgh Chambers will be taken down next month, after cracks appeared in the masonry.
However, a question mark hangs over its reinstatement, with no money currently available to carry out the work.
Bob Smith from Burntisland Community Council said residents would ”go mental” when they found out.
The town was in uproar two years ago when Fife Council silenced the clock chimes after just one individual complained the noise was keeping him awake at night.
Over 1,100 people signed a petition calling for them to be brought back and, after months of debate, a compromise was reached where a quieter recording of the bells was played overnight.
The community threw a party to mark the return of the chimes.
Mr Smith said: ”When the town understands that the clock tower is coming down and there are no plans to put it back up again, and no money available in the budget, I think the town is going to go mental.
”We had over 1,100 people who signed a petition within three days about the switch-off of the clock chimes.
”What do you think the town is going to do when they hear the clock tower is coming down but they can’t tell us if and when it’s going to be reinstated?
”It’s an iconic building and is part of the common good in Burntisland but, like most common good assets, Fife Council have failed to maintain it properly.”
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Burntisland Burgh Chambers dates back to 1843 and, for the past century and a half, the chimes have rung out every quarter of an hour, even through wartime.
The council said the cracks in the tower were found after a routine inspection and independent conservation specialists were called in to examine the damage.
After a closer inspection, the experts said the tower would have to be partially dismantled and reconstructed using as much of the original stone as possible.
Work to dismantle the tower will take around four weeks and the council is hoping to complete the restoration before winter.
However, the local authority could not give a date for when the historic turret would be rebuilt and councillor Neil Crooks, who chairs Kirkcaldy area committee, raised concerns.
He said: ”I have been informed that the clock tower is damaged beyond in situ repair and will have to be taken down in the interest of public safety as soon as possible.
Local members have been briefed and while this will be an unwelcome development following the controversy of the bell ringing, I am advised this action is unavoidable.
”The big question will be: when can it be reinstated? There is currently no budget for this unplanned work but I will work with colleagues to investigate funding options for reinstatement.”
Council property services manager Alan Paul said: ”The extent of the damage that’s been uncovered means we need to act to remove the affected stone.
”We will dismantle the tower to just below the clock faces, where the masonry is sound.
”The tower will then be temporarily weatherproofed, while we finalise plans for its reconstruction.
”Independent experts have verified the work that needs to be carried out and it will all be done under the supervision of conservation specialists, following best practice for the conservation and repair of historic masonry structures.
”We’re aiming for work to start on site at the beginning of October, so that we can complete repairs before the worst of the winter weather kicks in.”
Photo David Wardle