PLANS for a multi-million pound 'eco-therapy wellness and leisure park' at an old coal mine near Kelty have taken a step forward.
It's more than two and a half years since National Pride bought a huge swathe of land at St Ninians and Loch Fitty and outlined development proposals which will create jobs and plough money into the local economy.
That ambitious vision includes a wellness spa complex, tree houses, lodges and geodesic domes, a trout fishery and aquatic centre, technology park, entertainment centre and beautiful parkland designed to boost mental and physical health, particularly for those suffering from cancer and heart disease.
This week Fife Council confirmed an environmental impact assessment will be required and the community interest company told the Press they'll aim to supply all the relevant details early next year.
A spokesperson for National Pride added: "In support of our planning permission in principle application, we will be working closely with the Fife planning officers to provide all necessary information by end of the first quarter 2024.”
The former opencast mine, spanning 930 acres, was sold for an undisclosed sum in May 2021.
National Pride purchased an additional 46 acres at Thornton Wood in December of that year.
The aim of the 'eco-therapy' park is to promote health and wellness in mind and body, providing places for relaxation and rejuvenation, while at the same time delivering an exciting leisure, entertainment and tourism destination.
Restoring the trout fishery at Loch Fitty would be a popular move and there are also plans to showcase "local and national gastronomic excellence" with food from local producers and goods grown on site.
As well as providing jobs, National Pride said there would be training opportunities and workshops to learn new skills.
The new owners said they would also keep the landforms created as part of Charles Jencks' Fife Earth Project, which couldn't be completed after Scottish Coal went bust.
And they've given their "full support" to the idea of a national memorial to be sited there for the thousands of Scots who were killed for being a witch.
Fife Council previously told the Press that the plans for St Ninians and Loch Fitty have the "potential to support our tourism sector and local economy, as well as the wellbeing of local communities".
Although the proposals are still in the early stages, and planning permission has yet to be granted, they did get the go-ahead for a Platinum Jubilee Youth Spectacular at the former coal mine in June last year.
TV presenter Stephen Mulhern hosted the weekend of fun to mark the Queen's 70th anniversary with performances taking place in a newly-constructed arena, which is being marketed as a possible venue for gigs and festivals.
National Pride, which works with international partners and investors to deliver "vibrant communities, social housing, wellbeing projects and social care developments", have also been the main sponsor for the Scottish Coal Carrying Championships in Kelty for the past few years.
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