Why historic Burgh Chambers not for sale 24 hours after being put on market

The High Street landmark was put on the market at the weekend, just days after ward councillors, and representatives from the town’s Community Council, and Heritage Group met with council officers to discuss its future - and they say the ‘for sale’ plan was not even mentioned.

That sparked a furious backlash, with ward councillors saying they were astonished at the online marketing of the property.

On Monday they met again with officers who assured them the building is not for sale, and the agent has been instructed to take the advert down.

Councillor Kathleen Leslie (Burntisland, Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy, Conservative), welcomed the update..

She said: "I am reassured that the property is not going to be on the market following today's meeting and I stressed very clearly to council officers, that, going forward, the relevant groups must be part of the discussion and that there are no further surprises. I await to see the advert removed and will monitor until that happens."

She added: “Whilst there is a recognition of the need to source funding and that there is no review of the Council's Capital Plan this year, it is fair to say there is a collective will to get this right and keep the building within the community.”

In October, the council said the Chambers were not on the market, but it was exploring future options, and was open to “expressions of interest from investors who have the appetite and financial resources to maximise the potential of the building.”

There is a strong local push to bring the Chambers back into regular use.

The Heritage Group said it was a focal point for community events - over 1000 visitors have attended the Burgh Chambers’ rooms this year alone for exhibitions and Doors Open Days - but it ended its decade-long bid to take it over after a heated meeting with officers at the community council.

The trust also handed back the £15,000 the public voted to give it in the local authority’s ‘You Decide’ initiative which was to be for a feasibility study into the re-instatement of the steeple after the council said it had no plans to take on the work.

The online advert, which appeared at the weekend, said the building offered “excellent potential for redevelopment for alternative uses such as residential/holiday let accommodation.”

The brochure said: “It displays a number of decorative and ornate stone features externally adding to its appeal and enhancing its presence on the High Street. The upper floor space on the first and second floors is presently vacant but provides the former Burgh Chamber and the accommodation displays a number of ornate and attractive unique features.” It also highlights a building at the rear which is in a poor condition.

No price was given in the online sales brochure.

The advert sparked huge criticism, with Cllr Leslie saying she was “astonished and angered” while Councillor Julie MacDougall (Reform) said it showed “a complete lack of regard for our elected members, community council, community groups, and our community in general.”

Alan Paul, Fife Council's head of property services, said: "During discussions with local members in the summer, it was agreed that we would explore all opportunities to breathe new life into the building. This included attracting potential investors, which is the work Graham and Sibbald was asked to undertake. There are no proposals for the sale of Burgh Chambers in Burntisland.

"In the last week , we've met with local members, representatives from the Community Council, and Burntisland Heritage to continue these conversations. At that meeting, we agreed to explore the potential of a community venture, always recognising that the Council has no funding to invest in the building beyond ongoing maintenance. Accordingly, Graham and Sibbald have been asked to stand down.

"Any proposals that emerge from these discussions will be subject to the usual requirements relating to common good properties."