A staunch defence of controversial proposals to ban booze in one of Fife’s most tranquil towns has been launched.
Earlier this month we revealed that a planned byelaw to establish an alcohol-free zone in Falkland had created bitter divisions, with hundreds signing a petition opposing the development (link).
Among those firmly against the plan is local councillor David MacDiarmid, who insisted there is no problem in the town. He said the legislation would represent a “sledgehammer to crack a nut” and backed locals who are fighting the plan.
However, community council chairman Anthony Garrett insists the controversial bye-law is required. He is concerned many people have misunderstood what is meant by the legislation, and claimed only those intent on “anti-social activity” have anything to fear.
“The name (of the byelaw) is misleading as it will not actually prevent drinking outdoors,” Mr Garrett said. “Alcohol can presently be consumed outdoors in public at licensed premises which have an outdoor licence, as most do in Falkland, and this would still be the case.
“St Andrews is already an alcohol-free zone but there are many licensed premises there where patrons can drink outdoors, and this would apply to Falkland too.
“Occasional licences are available for events such as The Big Tent and the Falkland Festival. Thus the suggestion that a zone would inhibit visitors is nonsense,” he continued.
“Indeed, we have reason to believe that visitors would prefer to come to a place which is free from anti-social behaviour.
“Falkland In Bloom has done more than any other local organisation to attract visitors to Falkland, but their magnificent efforts have been vandalised several times.”
Mr Garrett said the main focus of the legislation would be on allowing the authorities to crack down on yobs.’Disturbance'”What the law will do is give the police an extra way of controlling alcohol-fuelled disturbance which sadly Falkland has suffered from in the past and which could return to the town if it is one of the only communities in the area not to have such a zone,” he continued.
“At present 78 areas in Fife have alcohol-free zones at the behest of communities and others are applying to have one. Ladybank Community Council confirms that the ban in their area has made an enormous difference for the better and has not caused any problems for residents,” he added.
“The only people who should be concerned about an alcohol-free zone in Falkland are those who wish to indulge in anti-social activity.”
Mr Garrett insisted the community council was not alone in its support for the contentious ban.
“The community council … is simply supporting those whose lives have been blighted by disturbance and damage,” he said. “We believe that the views of people who live in the centre, whose lives are spoiled by being woken up and possibly frightened at weekends, are more significant in this case than the views of those who live away from the centre and are therefore not affected by the problem.”
Mr Garrett said the matter seemed to have turned into an “anti-community council” issue something he described as “sad”.
It is understood around 400 people have signed a petition outlining opposition to the proposed byelaw.