St Andrews University has been accused of “putting lipstick on the pig” in a long-running dispute over unsightly aluminium ducting on its student union building.
Former student leader, Michael Rolland, whose home overlooks the union, said the university continued to dodge planning requirements in the “fiasco” over the building in St Andrews’ conservation area.
However, the university insisted its response to an unforeseen mistake was an example of its good faith and the solution proposed was an excellent one.
An air conditioning unit likened y critics to an oil refinery was erected on the roof three years ago without planning consent, to the anger of residents in neighbouring Hope Street, Abbotsford Place and Greyfriars Garden.
Retrospective permission was refused by Fife Council in September 2016 but instead of removing the equipment the university has applied for consent for replacement ductwork covered with a vinyl camouflage wrap.
Retired investment banker Mr Rolland, a student union president in the 1960s, said: “This is a cynical attempt by the university to avoid the expense of correcting their mistakes by merely putting lipstick on the pig while leaving the improper structures in place.”
The only changes proposed, he said, were a slight reduction in the height of the ducts and a “bizarre plan” to wrap them in vinyl sheeting with a camouflage pattern, which he likened to heavy duty wallpaper.
Fife Council’s north east planning committee is due to consider the planning application on Wednesday and Mr Rolland urged members to remind the university of its responsibility to meet conservation area standards and prevent a “very bad precedent” for future developments in the town.
He said: “Along with other local alumni and many concerned citizens, I hope that Fife councillors will protect our historic town and require the university to do the right thing in this sad matter.”
A university spokesman said Mr Rolland’s comments were misleading and disappointing but his frustration at the pace of progress was shared.
He said: “We would have liked to move more quickly towards remedial work on the ducting, which we have always acknowledged was not installed in line with our design, intentions or planning permission.
“However, after initial delays for which we have fulsomely and repeatedly apologised, we set aside more time to consult the neighbours.”
He said the scheme now proposed emerged as a result of those conversations with St Andrews Preservation Trust and six property owners.
He said: “The current plan to reduce, reposition and camouflage the ducting is an excellent one.
“The refurbished students’ association is an asset to the town.
“The process to mitigate an unforeseen mistake during its redevelopment is an example of the university’s good faith and we hope that the spirit of civil dialogue will continue to prevail among the majority of the association’s neighbours.”
