Cowdenbeath councillor slams 'trail of destruction' left by travellers

Cllr Darren Watt has vented his frustration after travellers returned to Leuchatsbeath Drive ignoring measures which had been put in place to prevent the land being taken over again.

After an unauthorised encampment late last year led to complaints about mess and antisocial behaviour, grassed mounds were created in the hope of preventing vehicle access.

Damage at the Leuchatsbeath Drive site. (Image: Cllr Darren Watt) However, a group returned to the site on Friday morning and were able to bypass the mounds.

Cllr Watt explained: "Upon arrival, they clearly took umbrage with the newly installed preventative measures, and deliberately breached the grassed mound by digging through a walkway to allow wider access for their vehicles.

"During their stay, they caused much distress and concern for neighbouring residents, particularly with their blatant ruinous actions and behaviour.

READ MORE: Council take action to deter Cowdenbeath Gypsy/Traveller encampments

"They left on Sunday afternoon but not before leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. There is much evidence of brazen fly-tipping with building materials and household waste scattered along the tree line and in the woodlands, as well as a scorched area following an intentional fire."

Rubbish left at the Leuchatsbeath Drive site. (Image: Cllr Darren Watt) While acknowledging the need for provision for travellers, he said this was unacceptable.

"I have always made it clear, the history, heritage, lifestyle, and culture of the Gypsy/Traveller Community must be respected, however, the actions we have seen over the weekend are hugely detrimental and harmful to their reputation," he said.

"At a time when hardworking taxpayers are paying more for less, local residents have every right to be extremely angry and frustrated, especially as the subsequent clean up will come at a great cost to the local authority.

Building materials left at the Leuchatsbeath Drive site. (Image: Cllr Darren Watt) "Scarce funding and resources could be and should be better spent locally, instead of addressing the ongoing issues associated with Gypsy/Travellers.

"Whilst I appreciate Fife Council "do their best to balance the needs of both Gypsy/Travellers and the settled community," they must publicly and widely condemn this latest incident and the devastating aftermath.

"I will ask they act swiftly to clean up the mess left behind, and that they respond more positively to calls for more effective measures to deter future unauthorised encampments at this site."

Fife Council Housing Service Manager, Paul Short, confirmed a clean up is set to get underway.

"As soon as it was brought to our attention that the travellers had returned to Leuchatsbeath Drive, we started the proceedings to move them on," he said. "I gather they have now left the area and can confirm that staff have been out to record details of what's been left behind.

Debris and damage at the Leuchatsbeath Drive site. (Image: Cllr Darren Watt) "We're currently in the process of arranging for the area to be cleaned up.

 "At this stage it's too early to say what our next steps will be, but rest assured we'll be reviewing what's happened and look at how we can prevent this from happening in the future."

READ MORE: Plans for Lumphinnans travellers site at Golf Course Road

Last week, a planning application to turn a former piggery near Cowdenbeath into a travellers site was lodged with Fife Council.

John Reid has applied to Fife Council for a change of use for 1.5 acres of land to the northwest of Lumphinnans, off Golf Course Road.

If approved, five lodges, three overnight caravan pitches and a utility building would be created as well as a new access road, 14 parking spaces and a sewage treatment plant. 

As reported by the Times, the bid was a retrospective application as the development was completed on January 1, 2024, with Mr Reid "unaware that consent was required".