Scottish-government backed heritage project faces ‘whistleblowing’ claims – Arts Professional

The former director of a major heritage renovation project in Scotland has claimed his contract was terminated after he made public interest disclosures.

An employment tribunal held in Edinburgh heard that Alex Crovetti was appointed as project director for the renovation of Silverburn Flax Mill, Fife, in August 2023 after the contract was publicly tendered.

As part of a scheme costing £8m, work is being carried out to create a backpackers’ hostel, café and restaurant, meeting and event space, three arts and crafts studios, office space, interactive heritage displays that tell the story of the mill and a shop.

The project, which has received in excess of £3 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, £2m from Fife Council, £1.5m from the Scottish Government and £500,000 from Historic Environment Scotland, was due to be completed in April, but has overrun.

The lease for Silverburn Park, including the mill, is currently held by Fife Employment Access Trust (FEAT), a charity supporting people with mental health conditions.

During a preliminary hearing for the case, Employment Judge King said whistleblowing claims had been brought against FEAT and four individual employees/board members of the organisation.

‘Concern over conduct’

The tribunal heard that in February 2025, one of the respondents sent an email to Crovetti informing him that: “There has been a concern raised around your conduct which only myself and one board member [of the organisation] are aware of for now.

“My main objective tomorrow is to inform you of what has been raised and provide you with any support that may be required.”

The following month a separate respondent wrote to Crovetti terminating the contract.

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The hearing was held to determine whether Crovetti was a “worker” in relation in relation to FEAT, meaning he qualifies for protection in the event of victimisation for protected disclosures.

The nature of the whistleblowing disclosures, or the merits of the case, were not discussed.

Judge King ruled that Crovetti was a worker, and the case can proceed to a final hearing.

FEAT has been contacted for comment.

‘One of Scotland’s last remaining flax buildings’

According to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Silverburn Flax Mill is one of Scotland’s last-remaining flax industry buildings.

Owned by a local family named Russell until the 1970s, the mill and its 27-acre park on the Fife Coastal Path was gifted to the people of nearby town Leven as: “a place of quiet enjoyment, supporting the health and wellbeing of the community, and respecting the habitat and biodiversity of the environment”.

The buildings closed in the 1990s, but in 2019, FEAT took on the lease for the park, renamed Silverburn Park.

The mill had been set to reopen in Easter 2026 but the Silverburn Park website says construction will continue until at least December.

The completion of work is anticipated to attract even more visitors, provide a boost to the local economy and make the park financially self-sufficient.