Golf course study unlikely

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 6 March 2004

Requests from several different bodies for the provision of an independent economic impact study relating to the proposed new seventh public golf course in St Andrews appear to have been rejected by Fife Council officials.

This emerged yesterday with news that the controversial application from St Andrews Links Trust for land at Kinkell and Brownhills to the south east of the town is likely to be considered by councillors in just over three weeks.

In the run up to a special public hearing held in Boarhills recently, Fife Council had come under pressure to call for an independent economic impact study before considering the application.

The first person to raise the issue was the general manager of the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, and the suggestion was subsequently echoed by a wide range of different interests.

They included the Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board, the St Andrews Hotel and Guest House Association, St Andrews Merchants, and the Scottish Incoming Golf Tour Operators Association.

Questions have been raised about the need for the new course, and anticipated demand, and there has been considerable debate about the statistical information used to justify the trust’s arguments.

The Links Trust has consistently claimed that the new course is essential as local demand increases and the waiting list for links tickets continues to grow.

Fears have also been expressed, however, about the possible impact of another new course on the wider local economy at a time when visitor trends are uncertain, the knock-on effects of September 11 are still being felt, and emerging golf destinations elsewhere continue to attract visitors.

At the conclusion of the recent public meeting, Fife Council’s east area development team leader Nick Brian was unable to give a timescale for consideration of the trust’s application, and he indicated that the council would be seeking further detailed information from the trust.

He said issues such as demand for the course, the impact on the local economy and tourist trade, and the traffic impact on St Andrews were all issues that had been highlighted at the meeting.

Mr Brian said yesterday, however, that it is now likely that the application will come before the area development committee at its meeting on March 30.

He said that more information had been lodged with the council by the trust, although this did not include an independent economic impact assessment.

The official said that the council would be proceeding to committee on the basis of the information that has been given.

The reason for no independent study being called for would be explained at the meeting, said Mr Brian, but he could not make further comment at the moment.

Chief executive of the Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board, Patrick Laughlin, recently said that genuine concerns had been expressed by some businesses.

He said the board’s request for an independent study was still on the table, and he had not had a response from the council to say whether or not there would have to be such a study.

Mr Laughlin said he had now been asked to comment on further information supplied by the trust in the wake of the public meeting, and that the board had 14 days to respond.

“The tourist board is supportive in principle of the plans, but we called for an independent study in the hope that doubts could be dispelled,” he said.