Fife Council is seeking input on proposed plans to restore a section of one of central Fife's most important watercourses.

As part of the wider Leven Programme, the Council is working in close partnership with SEPA's Water Environment Fund to deliver improvements to the Back Burn – specifically a 5.8km stretch between Rhind Hill in the Lomond Hills and Newton, just north of Markinch.

The Back Burn, which is also locally known as the Conland, Coul and Balbirnie Burn, has played an important role in local industries and parks and greenspaces over the years, but historic modifications have impacted on the way it functions.

However, a series of options and designs have been developed that aim to restore the river for the benefit of local people and wildlife.


Project partners are now looking to share these proposals with the local community and gather as much feedback as possible, with two drop-in events planned over the coming weeks and an online questionnaire going live on Friday, November 3.

Sarah MacDonald, project manager for Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT), which is managing the project on behalf of Fife Council, explained: "The River Leven and its burns and tributaries are a vital part of our local landscape.

"Where practical we are looking to allow them to work more naturally and one way we can do this is by removing or adapting some of the man-made changes which have had an impact over the decades.

"We are now moving into the developed design stage of the project, having carried out surveys, research and reviewed information gathered about the current state of Back Burn, and this information has been pulled together into a range of potential options for restoration work along this section of the Back Burn.

"The options have been shared with local landowners and technical stakeholders for their feedback, but we are now at the stage where we are looking to share these options with the local community and gather their thoughts on what's proposed."

The project area is quite large, but the most significant improvements are proposed within Coul Den Nature Reserve and Balbirnie Park.

With that in mind, two drop-in events have been arranged near both locations so people can find out more about the plans in person and speak to the project teams.