The future of a “jewel in the crown of Fife” has been granted a major boost.
Fife Council has agreed to lease Craigtoun Park to the Friends of Craigtoun Park for an initial five-year period, with an option to enter into a 25-year agreement.
The Friends, a local volunteer group now registered as a charity, has been operating the park under a management agreement since April last year and wishes to acquire the park on a longer-term basis, enabling it to develop the visitor attractions.
The council’s executive committee has now approved the granting of a lease from next month.
A report to the committee by Michael McArdle, from the asset and facilities management service, said: “The management of the park by a registered charity under the terms of a lease may provide access to funds for the benefit of the park and park users which would not be available to the council.”
The Friends will be asked to pay a peppercorn rent of £300 per annum. Under the terms of the agreement, the Friends will have the option to end the five-year lease at any time, giving three months’ notice in order to replace it with one for 25 years.
The council will be responsible for maintenance and repairs at the park under the five-year lease, but such costs will be the responsibility of the Friends under the 25-year lease.
At the executive committee meeting, Independent Buckhaven councillor Andrew Rodger described Craigtoun as “one of the most beautiful parks in Fife”.
He said: “I hope this council will continue to do whatever it can to support the Friends who volunteer there. Craigtoun is one of the jewels in the crown of Fife but we have let it slip in recent years. It’s great that these hard-working volunteers have brought it back.”
Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett said members of the north east Fife area committee had already given their “very enthusiastic backing” to the park.
Three weeks ago Friends of Craigtoun Park volunteers expressed delight that Fife Council is to invest £88,000 towards the restoration of the crumbling Dutch Village.
The Friends welcomed the inclusion of the investment in the council’s budget, which was proposed by the Labour administration.
The much-anticipated grand reopening of Craigtoun Park took place last July, ahead of a long, hot summer. Organisers hope this is just the beginning of a bright future for the park.
Meanwhile, Friends of Craigtoun Park chairman Kyffin Roberts has welcomed the development. It came as Mr Roberts, who is also chairman of St Andrews Community Council, announced his intention to stand down as chairman before the year is out.