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Crematorium plan for Leven
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A CREMATORIUM to serve the Levenmouth area is one of the possible new uses being considered for Silverburn.
The Mail understands a Leven businessman wants to provide a centre for bereavement services, to be known as the Silverburn Funeral Estate, at the well-known park venue.
Fife Council has been seeking for several years to attract private investment in Silverburn – on a long-term leasehold basis and not outright sale – to prevent the area slipping further into decline.
Among the potential projects is thought to be a detailed phased plan for a crematorium and associated facilities, at the site of the old flax mill, steadings and nearby land.
The un-named developer hoped to create a one-stop bereavement centre for the general public of Levenmouth and surrounding area.
With around 4000 deaths a year throughout Fife, it was needed, he suggested.
The entire proposal would be self-financing, he indicated, removing the need for public funds to maintain the areas and buildings identified in the plan.
It would also meet the principles of Silverburn’s estate legacy, which focused on open access and benefiting the general public.
If completed, there could be around 20 full/part-time jobs for “the local workforce”, including three apprenticeships.
The facility would include a garden of contemplation, crematorium, remembrance garden, restaurant/café, florist, stonemason, bereavement centre, funeral parlour, associated roads, pathways, lighting and security cameras.
The would-be developer intended that the existing former mill buildings be refurbished “to reflect their stature in history and be brought back into the public realm”.
Meanwhile, next week’s council elections have forced another delay over a meeting between local authority officials and “interested parties” in the Silverburn site.
Fife Council now hopes to meet possibly in mid to late May with around five groups which had displayed a desire to take on land at the Leven venue.
Peter Howden, parks development manager, said the meeting was intended to “further evaluate the expressions of interest” – and they all had potential – but he could not comment specifically on any of the proposals.
Afterwards, a report will be prepared for future meetings of council committees, including policy, finance and asset management.
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Weather for Kirkcaldy
Monday 20 May 2013
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