Anger as Falkirk Council delays improvements for historic Bo'ness parkland

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Campaigners say Kinneil Estate in Bo'ness is being put "to the back of the queue" in a report looking at four of Falkirk district's major parks.

A report going to members of Falkirk Council 's executive will also suggest looking at the possibility of transferring Newparks Farm in Muiravonside Country Park to a third-sector of commercial organisation in a bid to save money.

Members of the group Friends of Kinneil had been hoping to see a review of the Bo'ness park's current masterplan which they say does not make the most of the opportunities for tourism the estate offers. Read more: Falkirk budget gap will lead to 'cuts, job losses and council tax rises' But while councillors agreed to a review last year, the now disbanded Falkirk Community Trust was not able to produce a report in time.Instead, council officers now say it makes more sense to look at the future of the 200-acre Bo'ness site alongside that of Callendar Park, Helix Park and Muiravonside Country Park, all of which were previously managed by the Trust.But creating masterplans and bidding for lottery funds takes time and money so officers are suggesting dealing with Callendar Park, then Muiravonside and then Kinneil.The Friends group has urged councillors to reject the proposals.Friend of Kinneil's chairperson Ian Shearer said: “This report being presented to the Council Executive is extremely disappointing.

We hope that Councillors across parties will roundly reject it, as it is manifestly not what they had unanimously asked for.“It offers little sense of vision or ambition from the estate’s owners, nor of its potential contribution to much-needed economic recovery and development as had been promised.Falkirk Live brings you the latest headlines from