Plans Approved For Solar Panels On Younger Hall

A controversial plan to install 27 solar panels on the roof of the historic Younger Hall in St Andrews has been approved by Fife Council’s North East Fife Planning Committee. The decision, as part of the University of St Andrews’ broader decarbonisation strategy, has sparked debate over the balance between sustainability and the preservation of heritage sites.

Younger Hall, a B-listed, 100-year-old art deco building located on North Street, is a key cultural and academic venue, hosting concerts and University graduation ceremonies. The solar panels, set to be installed on the east-facing roof, will cover approximately 104 square metres, the majority of the 185-square-metre roof space. Despite its approval, the project has faced opposition from the St Andrews Community Council, which raised concerns about its visual impact on the surrounding conservation area.

The St Andrews Community Council argued that the installation of three rows of black photovoltaic panels would detract from the character of the historic building and the broader conservation area. While the panels will introduce a stark contrast to the existing red clay pantile roof, planning officials reassured committee members that they would be largely invisible from street level, with the only vantage point being the top of St Rule’s Tower, located 300 metres away.

Planning officer Benet Davis, who assessed the proposal, noted that Fife Council supports renewable energy projects provided they do not significantly harm historic or architectural fabric. He stated that while the installation will alter the building’s appearance, the impact is limited and, crucially, reversible. A condition attached to the approval requires the University to restore the roof to its original state once the solar panels reach the end of their lifespan.

Despite objections, the committee unanimously approved the installation. Councillor Jane Ann Liston defended the project, arguing that sustainability should take precedence over aesthetic concerns. She also criticised the presence of the nearby Gannochy House, a 1960s-built student accommodation block, stating: “Gannochy House is much more of a blight on the landscape and detracting from the Younger Hall than solar panels would be.” She further suggested that the Community Council may have misjudged the situation, given the ongoing climate crisis. “To have objected, considering the climate emergency, to fitting photovoltaic tiles to the top of the Younger Hall, I think they may have made a mistake there,” she remarked.

The installation of solar panels on Younger Hall is part of a broader initiative by the University of St Andrews to reduce its carbon footprint and transition to renewable energy. The University has cited increasing energy demands as a primary reason for expanding solar power across its estate. While the planning application was assessed under local and national sustainability policies, concerns remain among some community members about the potential precedent this decision sets for other historic buildings in St Andrews. However, with Fife Council’s approval now secured, the University can move forward with the project, marking another step in its commitment to renewable energy.

Image by University of St Andrews