Plans to reinstate an iconic North East Fife landmark to public use are edging nearer, The Courier can reveal.
Contractors are expected to begin renovation work soon on the Dutch Village within St Andrews’ Craigtoun Park.
The small island complex has been sealed off to the public for several years because of safety fears due to the dilapidated state of parts of the structure.
However, work has been ongoing for more than two years to try and bring the attraction back into use, possibly even as a wedding venue.
Kyffin Roberts, from the Friends of Craigtoun Park, said that while the process has taken time, he was excited about the prospect of allowing the public to re-enter the village.
“The Friends of Craigtoun work in partnership with Fife Council,” he said.
“As part of that partnership The Friends of Craigtoun lease the park from the council but the lease does not include the Dutch Village.
“The intention is that Fife Council will carry out some minor repairs and restoration of the Dutch Village before handing the property over to The Friends of Craigtoun who will then launch a major fund raising campaign to provide funding to restore the Dutch village to its former glory.
“Fife Council have faced some technical and environmental issues that have delayed the project so far.
“However, the planning and preparation of the project is progressing and we are hopeful that the project will move forward later this year.”
The surrounding pond was drained in the winter and inspections were made to the foundations to ascertain the extent of the repair work.
The boat shed is also to be restored, but meanwhile the boating pond has been refilled and was reopened to the public during the Easter holidays.
Last summer saw the initial maintenance work carried out on the Dutch Village, with minor repairs made to the roof, while walls were re-rendered and painted, and new windows installed.
Yvonne Bell, chartered quantity surveyor at Fife Council, said: “We’ve begun the tendering process for repairs to the roof and rendering on the boat house at Craigtoun Park.
“We expect work to start later this year.”