And Ron Edwards says his proposal to use the current site plus some of the land at Toll Park for a sports complex, should be considered by Fife Council as a possible option for the future of the overcrowded Cromwell Road premises.

Plans have already been drawn up to extend the current school on the same site – but another option is a completely new school at Toll Park which is currently home to a community centre and playing fields.

Other venues such as land adjacent to Haugh Road have also been reviewed, but no single site has emerged as favourite with all presenting problems for development.

This week Councillor Edwards said the two-site school could be an ideal solution, with pupils just having to walk a short distance for PE or sports classes.

He said: "One thing that seems to be agreed by all residents of the town is the need for a modernised primary school for Burntisland, fit for the 21st century.

"The present school buildings have served well for many decades, but facilities and classrooms need to be fit for future use and must have adequate hall and sports facilities.''
With opinion in the town split over the best location, Fife Council is set to consult local folk.

But a business case for a new school isn't due until 2011-12 and any new building would be two years after that.

Cllr Edwards said funding was ''presently inadequate'' to provide even a basic new build.

He said a new development would take up most of the Toll Park, with limitations on both space and money – even without sporting facilities – while a refurbishment and expansion of the current school buildings to provide full disabled access, extra classrooms and hall, 'under one roof' would not incorporate a games hall.

That would mean pupils being decanted while certain phases were built.

He added: "The campus idea combines the existing school and Toll Park, with the Kirkcaldy Road being controlled by a pedestrian-priority crossing to avoid a split site," he said.

"A multi-use sports hall would be built on part of the Toll Park opposite the nursery to provide four or more extra classrooms, while the existing school is being renovated.

''When the old school has been renovated and brought under-one-roof, the sports hall could be converted back to a games halls.

"This would provide a sports complex which will be of great value to both the school and for community use, and preserve the pitches on the Toll Park.

"This model sports hall is costed at around £2.5m, while a brand new school would be between £8m and £11m to build, so renovation and expansion of the existing school is likely to be a cheaper option with greater overall community benefit," he said.

Land deal was 'not exactly free'

A BURNTISLAND councillor has criticised a proposal for an alternative site for the new school.

George Kay spoke out following a report in last week's Press where a planning consultant, representing a local farm, said described the developing of Toll Park an 'ill-conceived idea which fails to recognise the overall interests of the people of Burntisland'.

Joe Fitzpatrick – speaking on behalf of LRH Enterprises – said his firm had offered alternative land at Bendameer Road for a school and sports facility, but claimed it had been excluded from the process – despite coming 'free of charge'.

Councillor Kay told The Press: "The land being offered is part of a package which includes 350 houses.

"It is a £1m project which will increase the land value by £15 billion – so it's not exactly free.

"A school in Bendameer Road would also see 40-50 per cent of children in Burntisland being bussed to school which would put a strain on the school transport system."

The SNP member claimed to have received an e-mail from the chairman of the Parent Council who said there were multiple reasons why the Council felt the Bendameer Road site was not suitable.

He went on to say if the Toll Park was used for the new school, it would be a great loss of recreational ground to the community.

But added: "The park would have to be replaced elsewhere in Burntisland – it is the hub of the town."

He said consultations would continue next month with Burntisland Sports Group and the community council.

Jo Hadoke, chairman of Burntisland Primary School Parent Council, said the group did not wish to make any comment.