FIFE COUNCIL has not ruled out the possibility of the former Pitcorthie Primary School site being used for a new nursery. 

Back in September, the Press broke the story that a new nursery may be built on the site, leaving parents of pupils who were at the school angry that it was now being considered for a fresh educational facility. 

The Scottish government wants to increase nursery provision by 2020 and the council has admitted the former Pitcorthie school site might fit the bill.

Louise Playford, service manager for Fife Council, said: “There are no firm plans for the future use of the former Pitcorthie Primary School site.

As with all sites, it was agreed that we would look to determine whether there would be any future educational requirement for the site before our property services team considers alternative use for the council or disposal.

“Recently, the Scottish government committed to a programme of increasing nursery provision by 2020. Therefore, in line with this commitment, we are currently reviewing all potential options to respond to this and expand nursery provision, including the use of existing capacity within our primary schools and development of surplus facilities or land across the Fife Council area. 

“The former Pitcorthie PS site and other surplus facilities and land are being reviewed as part of this process.”

The council has recently stored heavy road machinery there. 

Shirley McDonald, a former Pitcorthie Primary School parent, told the Press: “I would rather see something benefitting the community rather than another development but I am annoyed that they knocked down an already great nursery. 

“It would be even more frustrating if a new nursery served a different area than Abbeyview. 

“They said it would cost too much to fix so this now seems ridiculous.”

Andrew Hutchinson, another Pitcorthie parent who campaigned against the closure, said: “I’m waiting to see what the council do for the whole area. Education is changing every day and we have a particular problem with our high schools that the Press have highlighted. 

“But I think it would be just too much for everyone if there was a new nursery.”