A planning consultant representing a local farm - which has offered alternative land at Bendameer Road for the school and sports facility - claims using the park is an 'ill-conceived idea which fails to recognise the overall interests of the people of Burntisland.'

The comments by Joe Fitzpatrick, on behalf of LRH Enterprises, came after it was revealed the issue is to be debated this year when public consultation is planned.

In a report in last month's Press, councillors representing the town urged as many people as possible to make their views known so the best possible decision could be made.

While there are many who believe that land at Toll Park would be ideal for a new purpose-build facility, others say that using the park would be a serious loss to the community which is already struggling for sports facilities.

Other options open to Fife Council include: using the existing site for an extended facility - but without the games facilities - land at Seamill between the castle and the old Alcan Chemicals site or at Duncan's Field, a steep site stretching up from Haugh Road.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "Although the suggestion is made the loss of the Toll Park is a necessary evil if the town is to gain much needed primary education facilities, the stark reality is this is the easy option for the Council.

"Other sites more suited to the overall interests of the town have been excluded from the selection process. One wonders if the people of Burntisland would still be prepared to accept the loss of the Toll Park if they were aware an option exists to provide a primary school and sports facility for the town while also retaining the Toll Park."

He said the Bendameer Road site was excluded from the process due to 'ownership constraints', despite claiming the land was offered free of charge.

He continued: "Given this, I suspect the forthcoming public consultation exercise will be more a matter of public notification on a decision already made."

Mr Fitzpatrick agreed with comments previously made by Jo Hadoke of the School Parent Council about the need for a replacement school, but said: "I suspect ... the thinking of the parent council is based on a misconception that it's the Toll Park or nothing. This is quite simply not the case."

Burntisland's Labour councillor Ron Edwards has said his preferred option would be to go ahead with the extension and refurbishment of the current school and build community sports facilities at Toll Park.

And SNP councillor George Kay's favoured option is Toll Park as he believes it is the only suitable piece of ground for a new school with a community centre.

The consultation, which is set to go ahead soon, will allow residents to have their say on what they think is best for Burntisland.