Old Course Hotel warns Kenly Farm windfarm could damage St Andrews' appeal
The home of golf could lose its appeal if plans for a windfarm on the outskirts of St Andrews are given the go-ahead.
The Links overlooking the Old Course in St Andrews.
- By Claire Warrender
- Published in the Courier : 02.02.12
- Published online : 02.02.12 @ 08.42am
That is the view of one of Scotland's top hotels, which fears the proposal by St Andrews University could threaten the town's growth as well as the wider Fife economy.
The Old Course Hotel has lodged a formal objection to the planning application, warning the six 100m turbines would have ''detrimental visual and economic impacts'' on areas used by visitors.
Consultants Colliers International, which submitted the letter on the hotel's behalf, has also dismissed the university's claim that the impact on tourism would be negligible.
Scotland's oldest university hopes to create the 12 megawatt windfarm at Kenly Farm near Boarhills in a bid to protect itself against spiralling energy costs.
Rising national and international costs have seen its bills triple since 2005 to £5.4m a year — the equivalent of 120 full-time staff.
Although a survey for the university found favour among a significant proportion of the public, the application led to the creation of the Kenly Landscape Protection Group (KLPG) and the Stop the University Windfarm Facebook group.
The latest in a line of objectors, the Old Course Hotel claimed the multi-million pound redevelopment of Hamilton Hall into 26 private residences linked to the Old Course resort would be compromised because the turbines would be clearly visible from the upper floors and rooftop terrace.
According to Colliers, the windfarm is incompatible ''with the Scottish Government and Fife Council's objectives for continued successful growth of the tourism economy in St Andrews and Fife.''
''This is because the impression that may be taken by visitors to the town and its facilities will not be what was expected or anticipated by them, in terms of their currently being able to enjoy views of an unspoilt landscape, which provides the setting to the historical town and its attractions such as the golf courses.''
A spokesman for Kenly Landscape Protection Group said: ''The Old Course Hotel shares our concern about cumulative impacts of turbines in east Fife.''
Tom Burns of the Facebook group added: ''The industrial scale of the windfarm will permanently damage the landscape and unique setting of St Andrews for everyone, resident and visitor alike.
''We've already seen the effect on confidence and jobs that windfarm proposals can have in Aberdeenshire where Donald Trump has halted work on his new golf resort. He's convinced a view of massive turbines is a disaster for a luxury golf resort.''
03.26pm - 02.02.2012 Disgruntled - Kirkcaldy, Scotland Report This
It would be interesting to see if wind turbines built a few miles from Gleneagles, or any other tourist hotspots in Scotland have actually had any impact on tourism? I suspect people haven't been put off playing golf or visiting places just because there are a few wind turbines nearby.
04.50pm - 02.02.2012 Lesley Haines - Dunino, St. Andrews. KY16 8LZ, UK Report This
I applaud the Kohler Group for acknowleging the impact of Industrial turbines on tourism in the East Neuk. Let us hope that the proprietors of the other hotels, golf courses and tourist attractions will register their objections too.
10.02pm - 02.02.2012 Laura Newey - Anstruther, Scotland Report This
Evidence suggests that while tourist numbers may not decline significantly as a result of turbines tourist spend does ie.resorts have to drop their prices to keep tourists coming. This is a disaster for places like St Andrews which depend on attracting the wealthier end of the market.
10.36pm - 02.02.2012 Lesley - Bedford , England Report This
Disgruntled - a lot of things would be very interesting. Why don't you check your facts before you throw out vague, unfounded manifestations of disgruntledness?
10.40pm - 02.02.2012 Mary Young - Glasgow, Scotland Report This
The Scottish Government Reporter recently rejected the appeal for turbines at Standingfaulds, Muthill. He clearly considered that they would, indeed, have had an impact on Gleneagles, tourism and people playing golf and visiting places
07.15am - 03.02.2012 Richard - Cupar, Scotland Report This
That's rich coming from the owners of one of Fife's ugliest buildings- so ugly that The Courier couldn't illustrate this story with a picture of it.
08.08am - 03.02.2012 Laura Newey - Anstruther, Scotland Report This
It'seasy to imagine turbines are insignificant - or even an aesthetic enhancement - from photos or from a passing carr. In reality they are massive industrial objects which dominate the countryside with extensive noise, shadow and vibration impacts for residents and landusers.
09.24am - 03.02.2012 val ingram - banbury, england Report This
Wind turbines are industrial units of course it is going to put people off coming to Scotland, where you appear to have gone wind crazy. The appeal of Scotland is the raw beauty of the landscapes, to see these everywhere is obscene. there are other ways of getting renewable energy not just wind
01.42pm - 03.02.2012 John Curtis - Banbury, UK Report This
In 2003 the tourism board in Scotland released a 190 page report that completed contradicted the earlier BWEA survey. This new report concluded that 15% of tourists would definitely avoid areas with Wind farms and that an additional 10% would be less likely to return. Over 50% of tourists agreed that Wind farms spoiled the look of the countryside. The study concluded that plans for additional Wind farms would eliminate 4,000 to 6,000 tourism jobs, and result in $120M to $210M in lost tourism revenue."
03.02pm - 03.02.2012 Disgruntled - Kirkcaldy, Scotland Report This
Believe me Lesley, I know my facts. There is nothing unfounded by my asumptions. There are a raft of wind farms near Gleneagles, in the Scottish Highlands, in the Scottish Borders & East Lothian, all major tourist destinations in Scotland. There has been no decline in tourists due to wind turbines.
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