New footpath proposed for Craigtoun road

The Citizen, 23 June 2000

The Balone to Craigtoun Road could finally have a footpath.

Golf Resorts International, the company developing the former Craigtoun Hospital, which also owns the neighbouring Duke's Course, has proposed that a mile-and-a-half of footpath be constructed at the side of the picturesque rural road.

The route will allow walkers to follow the 1.2 km path from Balone right to the entrance of Craigtoun Park.

Golf Resorts International had subsequently proposed an alternative route which it claimed would be safer than walking at the side of the busy road, and quicker than having to use the lengthy access path into the Craigtoun estate.

The second application was to have run from Balone via Mount Melville to Craigtoun Park, and had received the backing of officials from Fife Council's Roads and Planning departments.

However, it was turned down at a recent meeting of the East Area Development Committee, despite claims that it would have been a shorter and safer route for walkers.

Council officials stated that there would be a much greater threat of accidents to pedestrians on the original roadside footpath and stated that pedestrian routes should be separated from unrestricted roads whenever possible.

Planning permission was granted to the development over a year ago to change the former Craigtoun maternity hospital into a luxury leisure club with ancillary hotel accommodation.

At the recent development committee meeting, members also approved construction of a further forty hotel units in the grounds of the hotel, with the conversion of existing buildings to form four more.

Work is expected to begin later this year.