THE campaign to safeguard Tullibody's public park and community facilities has gained support from various political corners.

The Scottish Greens have thrown their weight behind it, with party co-convenor Patrick Harvie and Mid-Scotland and Fife candidate Mark Ruskell meeting with campaigners last week.

Candidates for the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency seat – Keith Brown (SNP), Craig Miller (Labour), Alexander Stewart (Conservatives) and Christopher McKinlay (Liberal Democrats) – have also backed the movement.

According to politicians, losing the park would have "long-term damaging consequences" and the Save Tullibody Public Park and Community Facilities group have approached the issue in a "collaborative way".

The organisation kick-started last year in response to informal proposals suggesting a new school should be built on the park.

Two options have now officially been put before the town: The relocation of both Abercromby and St Bernadette's RC Primary School to a new Tullibody South Campus located within the grounds of the present Abercromby (option A) and the relocation of Abercromby and St Bernadette's to a new campus, located within the grounds of the present civic centre (option B).

The group also wants reassurance from Clackmannanshire Council that the park will be protected under Fields in Trust and the civic centre will be handed over.

Towards the end of last month, incumbent Mr Brown expressed his commitment to helping residents with their objectives.

He said: "Having considered the options available in Clackmannanshire Council’s consultation for a Tullibody South Campus, I am of the opinion that option A provides the best solution for the entire community of Tullibody.

"Option A, while providing much improved educational facilities for the area, protects the public park in its entirety and also offers the local community the opportunity to explore the possibilities of retaining Tullibody Civic Centre as a community owned and run asset.

"If re-elected, I am more than willing to offer support and assistance to the community in taking this initiative forward."

Meanwhile, Mr Ruskell believes the community is "stuck between a rock and a hard place" with neither proposal fit for needs.

He said: "We should not have to choose between a new school and the existing well-used facilities at the park and civic centre.

"Our manifesto is calling for communities to have a greater say in the management of our valued green space. 

"If Clackmannanshire Council opts to build the new campus on the current Abercromby school site, we will fight to stop them demolishing the civic centre and selling on the land to developers. 

"Local people should be allowed to exercise their right through the Community Empowerment Act, which Green MSPs heavily contributed to, to take over the running of the civic centre for their own needs."

Outlining his full support, Mr Miller has said he is "completely opposed to the demolition of the civic centre".

He added: "I recently attended a meeting, where it was standing room only, and despite all local councillors being invited to attend, only Scottish Labour accepted the invitation, with the local SNP councillors staying away. 

"The committee are to be congratulated for the positive, imaginative and collaborative way in which they have approached this campaign on behalf of the community. 

"I am fully committed to offering all the support I can to the group and to the wider community. Tullibody Civic Centre, the playing fields, and the green space have been an integral part of the village for years and the ongoing threat to its future is deeply concerning. 

"If the council continue to fail to support the continuation of the civic centre, then I support the community taking ownership."

Mr Stewart pays tribute to all who have "stood up to the council" on the issue.

He said: "I like others feel that it should be kept for future generations and by taking the facilities into community ownership that would protect them and meet the aspirations of the local people and enhance the local environment. Tullibody continues to grow and needs community facilities that meet the demands of locals.

"The council facing reduced budgets see this as an easy option but it would have long-term damaging consequences for the area and I back the locals who have taken this stance to fight for their community green space. 

"They know what is best for the community and deserve our support in their endeavours.

"I look forward to seeing a strategic plan, a funding package that is backed by the council and them supporting locals who are prepared to take control and protect their environment for the future."

The campaign, according to Mr McKinlay, has highlighted once again the "importance of preserving and maintaining green spaces".

He said: "It has been disappointing that a proposal to build on a public park is even being considered. In a community of over 9,500 people every green space is at a premium. 

"Once such space is gone, it is lost to future generations. The community has articulated a strong voice to retain the public park and I strongly support their sentiments/views on this matter. 

"Scottish Liberal Democrats always seek to listen to the voice of the community and this issue highlights the need to remain vigilant on planning issues that may have an adverse impact on green space.

"I am happy to support their campaign and would urge all political parties to do so."

A Clackmannanshire Council spokesperson said: "The formal consultation remains open for the local community to give their views until 22 April.

"Following this a report will be made to the council, where the views received will be represented."