Cathedral lighting plans ruffle feathers

AMBITIOUS plans to light up one of Scotland’s most historic buildings have ruffled the feathers of a group of locals.

St Andrews Community Council members fear the proposal to install architectural lighting at St Andrews Cathedral will have a detrimental impact on owls.

They also claim it could lead to the cathedral and its burial grounds being treated as a fairground amid suggestions pink lights could be used on Valentine’s Day.

The organisation’s planning committee has lodged a written objection to the £195,000 scheme which would see the famous ruins lit up for the first time in a decade.

Local charity St Andrews Partnership, which is raising money for the LED lighting, said the points raised were fair but insisted there was no intention to be disrespectful.

Members of the public have so far raised almost £11,000 for the equipment which the partnership believes would show the cathedral at its best.

It would replace lights which were removed after falling into disrepair, and has the backing of cathedral custodians Historic Environment Scotland.

The community council’s planning convener, Penny Uprichard, said it remained to be seen whether the “optimistic claims” that the lighting would boost the economy and raise the profile of Fife would be realised.