THE community activists who launched a campaign to save Tullibody Park last year will turn their attention to safeguard the civic centre.

Earlier this month, elected members at Clackmannanshire Council voted unanimously to approve the option to build a new Abercromby Primary School and St Bernadette's Primary School on the current Abercromby site.

In doing so, they rejected the option to build on the grounds of civic centre – a prospect which provoked a backlash among those who felt this move would have encroached on the grounds of the park itself.

In response the Save Tullibody Public Park and Community Facilities group was established, which later evolved into the Tullibody Action Group (TAG).

Now that the park will be unaffected by the two new school builds, TAG is hoping to engage with the council over the future of the civic centre.

Linsey McKinlay, chair of TAG, said: “It is encouraging to see that the councillors' unanimous decision reflected the views from the majority of local residents – which not only reflects, but highlights the importance of community consultation work.”

The group says it has actively responded to the concerns from locals in the town since April 2015, when the council's consultation plans indicated that the new school campus may be built on the public park.

Residents supported two well-attended public meetings and signed a 1200-strong petition to Clackmannanshire Council to save the park.

According to the group, the park and civic centre area is a "vital community asset and much valued green space", highlighting the large turnout at the Fresh Air Fun Day, arranged by the Tullibody, Cambus and Glenochil Community Council this summer.

They now hope to entering discussions with the council over community ownership of the civic centre, with the support from COSS (Community Ownership Support Service) which is funded by Scottish Government.

The group also has the services of Lynn Molleson, a community ownership advisor, at their disposal.

Linsey said: “We are fully aware that the civic centre is in need of attention, particularly in terms of repairs to the fabric and appearance of the building.

"However, we are encouraged after looking at operational running cost supplied by Clackmannanshire Council along with the building condition survey, which was carried out by NIFES in 2014, and from meeting with the civic centre stakeholders, that this is a community asset that is worth investing the time and money into developing.

"This may include a full or partial refurbishment or a complete rebuild, but we don’t want to lose this facility, on this site, to more housing or commercial development.

"The community want the opportunity to protect and enhance what services are available for locals and with Lynn’s assistance and expertise along we are confident we can achieve this for Tullibody."

Anyone wishing to find out more about Tullibody Action Group can email admin@tullibody.org