Fife Council has come under fire in the wake of disruption caused by a high profile golf competition which restricted access to Kingsbarns beach.
Crail Community Council has added its voice to criticism of arrangements for the Ricoh British Women’s Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links.
The public car park at the beach was closed for eight days around the Major at the start of the August, a time of year when the sands are usually busy with families and holidaymakers.
Organiser IMG has already been accused of causing misery for residents but Crail Community Council suggested the council and local politicians should shoulder even more of the blame.
It demanded that no further competitions be allowed which limit access to the beach, its car park and Fife Coastal Path, part of which was diverted, without public consultation and agreement.
The four-day competition attracted some of the world’s top female golfers and thousands of spectators to Kingsbarns.
In a letter to a local councillor, secretary Max Taylor said the local community was “treated with contempt” by the competition organisers.
He said: “Access to the coast and beach at Kingsbarns is not a concession but is a public good and it is, in our view, not something that can be restricted for commercial gain.
“This was breached by the recent competition.
“We feel, however, that the strongest criticism must lie with Fife Council for agreeing to the access restrictions associated with the event, and for failing to take steps to ensure local engagement and benefit.
“We would particularly point to the ineffectiveness of local political representation in controlling the actions of the council officials.”
Mr Taylor said steps should be taken immediately by the council to take ownership of the beach car park, by compulsory purchase order if necessary, to ensure continuing public access.
However, the council said it already owns the car park.
Kevin Smith, lead professional for roads network management in north Fife, added: “IMG’s application for a closure for the women’s open was a fair one and we responded accordingly.
“It was only approved after very extensive communication and consultation with the Kingsbarns community and community council.
“This began in early March when the application was put forward.”
Kingsbarns Community Council staged several public meetings ahead of the event and persuaded IMG not to use Back Stile as access, which was its main concern.
It said the only complaints it had received since the tournament were about the plane circling the course to film the event and has asked for feedback at its next meeting in Kingbarns Memorial Hall on September 4.