The Back Burn has been affected by many man-made changes over time. These include artificial narrowing and straightening of the burn with gabions (wire baskets filled with stones) and walls, as well as barriers within the burn, such as weirs.
Restoring water courses to a more natural condition can bring many benefits, helping to:
To investigate the potential to restore 5.8 kilometres of the Back Burn to a more natural state between Rhind Hill in the Lomond Hills and Newton, north of Markinch. We are also looking to improve local biodiversity and develop the area with local communities.
In conjunction with other initiatives in the Leven Programme, this project has been commissioned by Fife Council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and is being managed by Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT), supported initially with funding from the Water Environment Fund (WEF).
cbec eco-engineering have been appointed as technical designers for this project and have been working with Fife Council, SEPA and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) to finalise the restoration design options that were shared via public consultation in November 2023.
We are in the final design stage of the project, which has included site surveys, modelling, and securing relevant planning and permissions for the works to take place. We have also been engaging with local landowners and technical stakeholders.
Restoration works will begin Summer 2025, with a focus on improvements at Coul Den and Balbirnie Park.
Coul Den:
Balbirnie Park:
Please keep an eye on our social media and website for further details.
Working with the local community is a key element of this project and we are keen to engage with the community, landowners and technical specialists so that their knowledge and thoughts can be used to inform and shape the project as it progresses.
As the project progresses, we hope to work with local community groups and schools to undertake a range of activities to ensure that local people are involved in improving the river environment and surrounding area.
Explore the proposed improvements which were shared with the public in November 2023 to hear their views.