Beamer Rock could be going home to Inverkeithing

The famous red and white Beamer Rock Beacon has spent years stuck in storage but developers have high hopes of including it as part of either the Fife Coastal Path or the metal pier structure that sits on the edge of the land.

The Stevenson-built structure stood in the Forth for 185 years before being removed in 2011 to make way for the new £1.6 billion Queensferry Crossing but it was commissioned originally by Inverkeithing Town Council.

In recent years, there have been many ideas presented for its reinvention, including using it as a First World War memorial in North Queensferry, a witch memorial in Torryburn or as part of housing developments at St David's Harbour, but none have come to fruition.

Donald McCorquodale, who is the project manager on behalf of DDR who have tabled the latest plans for Prestonhill, told the Press: "We have been talking about bringing the Beamer Beacon into plans for a long time now.

"We want the development to have an association with the history of Inverkeithing.

"Considering restoring the lighthouse to a place where it can join in with plans has been discussed in length and that has been a very positive discussion.

"We would like to try and do something on the pier but, if not, a place as close to the water as possible.

"This is something that the previous developers were keen to do and we would like to embrace the idea too."

As the Press has reported previously, there are plans for a mixed-use development at the quarry which includes proposals for 180 new homes, holiday chalets, open space and landscaping, while the Letham Woods would also be protected.

The application includes infilling (partially or wholly) the quarry pond which means there are no plans for a diving centre as mooted in previous years.

As a compromise, the developer has met with local divers and it has been suggested that the existing metal pier structure could be redeveloped into a functioning pier, where possibly the Beamer Rock would also stand.

There is no proposed built development for Letham Woods but the developers are open to suggestion about what recreational purpose it could have for the community's benefit.

DRR has been meeting with the local community councils in Dalgety Bay and Inverkeithing and so far, ideas suggested include a canopy walk, zip wire, high-wire course or just improved paths.

Likewise, others have suggested that the woods should just be left but discussions are still open.

"There is nothing set in stone at this point," Mr McCorquodale added.

"We're meeting with community councils and we've noted several suggestions that have been made and we're looking to see what we can achieve.

"We will do as much as we can to include the community's ideas and the investors are very supportive of getting the community involved so they can get as much benefit as possible.

"We would rather delay and get things right than to try to railroad it through and the plan is to listen to people as much as we can.

"We will bend over backwards as far as we can to be as inclusive as possible. Clearly, we won't be able to please everybody and that's going to be the challenge but we want to see as many community benefits as possible."

Councillor David Barratt, who represents in Inverkeithing, was the person behind getting the developers to think about putting the Beamer Rock into the development.

He said: "I think it's of mutual benefit to have the community involved in plans.

"I have been trying to find a place for the lighthouse for a while and the developers are on board with bringing to Inverkeithing.

"The suggestions about the pier upgrade and the Beamer are improvements to marine future and that's really interesting.

"I understand people's reservations but my impression is that the developer wants to engage and that is not what we've experienced with others."