There was a sense of elation in Falkland as campaigners celebrated news that the demolition of a historic wall and attached farm buildings had been ordered to stop by Fife Council.
The council this week served a temporary stop notice to Lomond Homes, preventing a tear down of the boundary wall and gable ends at the Pleasance.
The move came after weeks of campaigning by residents and elected officials including the SNP councillor David MacDiarmid. He said, “I am so proud to be part of this campaign team.
“It has been a David and Goliath battle against the developers but now we have helped make sure the wall will stand for my children’s children’s children, and I hope they put up as much of a fight as we did, if it comes under threat again.”
It had previously emerged that Lomond Land, part of the Lomond Group, had submitted a proposal that sought to include 8.8 acres of farmland into the finalised St Andrews and east area local plan.
They also outlined their intention to build an access road and roundabout where the wall and buildings stand.
With a temporary stop order now in place, it is not clear how these proposals will be affected, but Mr MacDiarmid said he felt confident another access point would be found.
“This was never a fight to stop a housing development, but to save and preserve an important piece of Falkland’s history,” he added.
Andrew Arbuckle also praised the residents’ efforts. The Liberal Democrat councillor said, “I would like to congratulate the local activists for their efforts. I’m pleased that Fife Council has taken up this issue as a serious one and I believe there is lessons to be learned for the future.”
Professor Stuart Haszeldine, a campaigner for the wall, said the group were delighted at the outcome and added his hope that it spurred on other communities, particularly in Scotland, to stand up against developers.
Under the Planning (listed buildings and conservations areas) Scotland Act 1997, Fife Council and Scottish Ministers used legislation empowering them to halt the works. Dr Bob McLellan, head of transportation services, said the authority took actions which were necessary.
The future of the wall and derelict buildings looked bleak after Historic Scotland recently stated they would not list the structure as it failed to meet the necessary criteria.
However, as a Historic Scotland spokeswoman said, the site makes an “important contribution” to the conservation area and should not be demolished.
“We have worked closely with Fife Council to support its efforts to secure the retention of the wall,” she said. “We understand that Fife Council has now served a temporary stop notice and we will continue to provide advice as the situation develops.”
A spokeswoman for Lomond Homes responded to the notice, saying, “I can confirm that we have now received a temporary stop notice and, as with the last notice, we will of course comply.”
Lomond Homes’ client, and the landowner, William Mill, of Brucefield Farm near Ladybank, declined to comment at this stage.