THE Crossgates community, it was claimed this week, is being denied a fair hearing over plans to create a sports hub in the village.

And local councillor Alex Campbell is furious at what he says ‘amounts to a snub’ by the way Fife Council officials have handled the request by volunteers to have a meeting to discuss how the ‘Lumphinnans style’ hub could be created on land behind Crossgates Primary School.

Said the member for the Cowdenbeath/Kelty ward: “I have been working with Crossgates Village Park Group who are wanting to deliver a Lumphinnans type sports hub. They are at the stage where they were contacted by someone from the education department of Fife Council to say that they will not get the ground behind the school as it may be required for a school extension. I contacted the council asking for an officer to attend a meeting last Thursday in Crossgates when the reply was that the group was in no position to go forward as they did not have a business plan in place. But how could they have a business plan when they don’t know their position regarding the appropriate land”.

He added: “I then asked the education people to reconsider their reply which I did not get a response to and no council officer turned up at the meeting which makes me furious.

“It appears the group are getting barrier after barrier put in front of them at a time when the village is increasing in numbers, due to continued house building.” 

Head of Education and Children’s Service, Shelagh McLean, commented: “It’s great to see communities coming forward with ideas for improving their local areas. Various Council officers have been working with the group and have met with them. They have been given information and contacts on how they can take this project forward. We will continue to work with them on this. With regards to education retaining the land for  alternative use, at the moment we are in the process of reviewing all of our properties and the land owned by Fife Council to prepare for the implementation of the expansion of Early Years provision and as such cannot confirm if this site will be available at this time.”