Fife Council’s executive committee has backed controversial proposals for a looked-after children facility at Raith Gates in Kirkcaldy.
A unanimous vote on an amended motion backed Raith Gatesas the preferred site for the development.
A lengthy discussion criticised “misinformation” which had been fed into the community before the early stages of consultation this year.
But councillors also agreed that lessons needed to be learned on how communities could be “taken with” the council when such issues came up in future.
SNP councillor George Kay gave a presentation on what he described as the “hamfisted” consultation carried out by the council. He described the process as a “complete charade”.
But council officers defended the methodology used to identify Raith Gates as the best value site to replace Rimbleton in Glenrothes.
Citing their corporate parent role, councillors also expressed concern about the stigmatisation of looked-after children who had so much to offer, often in the face of considerable adversity.
In a report presented to members ahead of this morning’s meeting, Douglas Dunlop, head of the council’s services for children and families, said: “It is noted some Raith residents have reservations about this proposal.
“However, having considered the issues raised, we remain of the view Raith Gates is the preferred site for the newly-built provision for looked-after children and young people.
“Fife has not built new accommodation for looked-after children and young people since the 1960s and this site offers significant benefits to our looked-after young people.
“We are confident of the ability of our young people and of the adults who look after them to show this can be a positive development, which can actually contribute to the community and the local area.
“We believe there will be little or no negative impact on the local community and as ‘good neighbours’ we are committed to continuing to work with them to ensure positive relationships.”
The new home will be a replacement for the ageing Rimbleton House in Glenrothes.
Raith Gates was nominated by officers due to its transport links and surrounding environment.
It is also hoped the youngsters could integrate themselves with the community. However, this theory has been contested by residents concerned at the plans.
Euan Fraser, the chairman of the Raith Homeowners’ Association, previously told councillors: “The Raith residents are predominantly in the upper-age bracket, who have invested in property in a quiet residential estate in Kirkcaldy, with the express wish of enjoying, or looking forward to, a peaceful retirement with like-minded neighbours.”
For more on this story, including full reaction to the decision, see Wednesday’s Fife edition of The Courier.