SNP defend debate on Kingask

The Citizen, 26 February 1999

The SNP prospective MSP for North East Fife, Colin Welsh, has spoken out against recent criticisms made by Labour Councillors that the Kingask decision had been made before the Development Committee met.

He also praised the level and quality of argument used by both sides in the recent planning decision.

Mr Welsh said: “The arguments both for and against Kingask have been given fair and extensive coverage in the Citizen newspaper, and the local planning committee were provided with good quality reports from officials - with well-argued letters from both those for and against the development.

“Having attended the recent planning meetings, I believe that the elected members reached a decision fairly if, in my opinion, it was the wrong one.

“The SNP will continue to support this development and hope that, with some compromise, the project can be advanced. We say this for the sake of jobs and the promotion of tourism in North East Fife.

“Schemes like Kingask and the Windmill project in Anstruther will give North East Fife a much-needed economic boost as well as being of value to the community.

“In the weeks leading up to the elections of MSPs and local representatives, the SNP will continue to put before the electorate positive ideas on how to sustain a viable local economy.

“We have already promoted ideas on how best to maintain banking services in rural communities, proposals for the future of the village-based fishing industry and how the new Parliament can assist small business.”