The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Angry residents claim wedding venue would ‘destroy’ community
Almost every resident of a Fife hamlet has joined a campaign to stop plans for a wedding venue amid fears it will destroy their way of life.
“Save Kilrenny” signs have been posted around the tiny community, between Anstruther and Crail.
The conservation village has just 76 houses and there are no shops, cafes or pubs.
And a planning application to transform a disused farm steading into a venue for up to 150 guests has provoked outrage.
Almost 190 people have signed a petition against the move by farmers JM Marshall and Son.
The owners say the C-listed building at Rennyhill Farm is no longer suitable for farm use and they believe its conversion will bring much-needed employment to the area.
However, residents worry they will be subjected to unbearable noise every weekend.
And they insist Kilrenny’s narrow roads cannot cope with wedding traffic.
One of those with concerns is Margaret Townsend, whose home is just 50ft from the barn.
She said: “It’s devastating. I feel sick every time I think about it.”
Like others in the East Neuk village, Margaret received written notice of the planning application on April 23.
“My stomach lurched when I opened it,” she said. “It came completely out of the blue.
“I live very close to the building with my husband, who has dementia.
“We thought the peace and tranquillity Kilrenny offers would help us lead the quiet life he needs.”
Margaret said the effect of a noisy venue next door does not bear thinking about.
“I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say I believe, if this is approved, it will devastate our life here in Kilrenny,” she said.
“My husband won’t be able to cope with the disruption it will bring. It will be hell on earth.”
Margaret is one of 80 members of the Save Kilrenny Residents’ Group.
Fellow member Bill Praties is another. He said: “It’s going to destroy our way of life.
“This is a conservation area and we moved here for peace and quiet.”
Aside from the noise of music and guests, Bill is worried about traffic.
“The Marshalls say many of the people will come by bus, but the road from the north is single track so it’s impossible to come that way. The only other way is through the village and past the church.
“We’ll have buses and cars trying to turn in the road and coming against vehicles on blind bends.
“We’re a tight, close group in Kilrenny and this is having a devastating impact.
“We’re not against wedding venues but putting one right next to houses is unthinkable.”
Another resident, Ann Thomson, added: “They say it will be once a week, but they won’t turn down bookings.”
Others living nearby include a 90-year-old man who cares for his wife and families with children.
The villagers have the support of Kilrenny, Anstruther and Cellardyke Community Council, which has lodged one of 76 official objections to the planning application.
However, the Marshalls say their proposal will see the steading brought back to a condition more suited to a conservation area.
They anticipate one wedding per week between April and September, operating between noon and midnight.
And they have included both soundproofing and traffic management plans with their application.
A statement submitted to Fife Council’s planning department says they are investing in a proven business model and similar venues in the East Neuk have lengthy bookings.
They plan to hire local contractors to complete and maintain the conversion.
And they add: “The completed venue buildings will create much-needed permanent and ongoing rural employment.
“The capacity for the venue has been limited to 150 guests. The smaller capacity will also keep any potential increase in traffic to a minimum.”
The Marshalls intend to create parking spaces for 40 cars and two coaches and say traffic will only increase just before and just after each event.
And they added that they are taking several measures to ensure noise transmission is reduced.
Finding a balance between the status quo and allowing new development is a dichotomy that all planning officials will recognise.
The residents of the tiny hamlet of Kilrenny in Fife currently enjoy a life devoid of commercial activity.
The conservation village has no shop, no post office and nor does it have a pub.
For many residents, the peaceful existence it offers is its charm.
In short, it is the reason they have chosen to live where they do.
But a local farmer is now bringing forward an application to turn a disused barn on the outskirts of the hamlet into a new wedding venue that the villagers fear will shatter their peace.
A petition has now been raised to fight the perceived threat, with Save Kilrenny signs put up around the village.
It is easy to see this as a David versus Goliath situation, with the villagers fighting the corporate giant on their doorstep. But that is an unfair characterisation.
The local farmer has every right to propose a development that will create jobs and wealth.
Indeed, the economy would stagnate without such schemes being brought forward, both in Kilrenny and elsewhere across the country.
That is why it is so important that planning officials, ahead of making a recommendation for or against a development, must listen to all sides and weigh up the evidence without fear or favour.
Planning wrangles are divisive and difficult and there is not always a solution available that will keep everyone happy.
But a constructive dialogue, if it can be opened, can help ease worries and smooth out wrinkles on both sides.
It can also help to build trust, where it is in short supply.
That would be helpful in this case. Otherwise, someone is going to be left unhappy at the end of the day.
It is easy to see this as a David versus Goliath situation