Councillors have been accused of trying to micromanage a small piece of pavement in St Andrews amid fears over rolling beer barrels.
Molly Malone’s pub wanted to alter its outside space to allow it to create a new town centre beer garden.
However, part of the plan involved moving the venue’s beer chute from its existing location on Market Street to a new spot near a pedestrian crossing on City Road.
And this would have meant rolling up to 15 barrels for around 60 feet along a narrow pavement during twice-weekly deliveries.
The proposal alarmed some members of Fife Council’s north east planning committee, who raised fears pedestrians could be injured if they were hit by one of the barrels.
And the planning application was turned down on the grounds of pedestrian safety.
St Andrews Lib Dem councillor Jane Ann Liston said: “People won’t be able to get past while they are merrily rolling barrels along.”
Beer deliveries ‘just part of town centre hustle and bustle’
However, Howe of Fife councillor Donald Lothian was unimpressed by the safety argument.
And he urged members to support the hospitality industry by approving the application.
He said: “We’re in real danger of trying to micromanage a very small bit of pavement which can already be used by buggies, motorised wheelchairs and golf buggies etc.
“This would just be part of the hustle and bustle of a vibrant town centre.
“And let’s face it there are many other parts of Fife that are trying to get vibrant town centres.
“Lots of places are facing pubs and hospitality closing down all the time and I think we should be doing everything we can to support it.”
Concern for fossilised fish
It was the second time the St Andrews pub plan had come before the committee.
Members deferred a decision last month after requesting more information about the arrangements for beer deliveries.
Concerns were also expressed for the future of a fossilised fish in the pavement near the proposed new beer chute.
However, that was not given as a reason for refusal.
Planning officer Alastair Hamilton had recommended the application be approved.
He said the deliveries to Molly Malones were no different to those at many other town centre premises.
And he saw no issue with pedestrian safety.
St Andrews pub plan: ‘I just can’t see it working’
Mr Hamilton said: “Deliveries are twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays between 7am and 11am.
“It usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes with 12 to 15 barrels being delivered.”
However, Conservative councillor Robin Lawson said: “I just can’t see it working.”
And he was backed by the majority of his colleagues, who refused the application by eight votes to four.
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