St Andrews people have given their overwhelming support to the proposals which Kohler Co., the new owners of Hamilton Hall, unveiled recently at the Community Exhibition in the Town Hall.
95% of respondents declared in the Exhibition Questionnaire that they were either very positive (67%) or positive (28%) about the proposals. Nearly 350 people attended the two day Exhibition.
Speaking this week, Debbie Taylor, managing director of The Old Course Limited, said: “We were very pleased that the Exhibition was so well attended and that there was such clear support for our plans from those who attended the public consultation and completed the Questionnaire. Response after response highlighted the real pleasure of local people that we shall be restoring this truly iconic building to its former glory. There was strong support too for our proposal to name the building the Hamilton Grand, thus combining the two strands in its history.”
Kohler Co., which purchased Hamilton Hall in December 2009, plans to invest a substantial amount on its renovation and redevelopment into 26 luxury apartments which will be available on a variety of options. The Kohler plans also include proposals for a bar, restaurant and function suite which will be open to the public. The owners have also indicated that, where possible, they would like to use local firms in the renovation work.
The Exhibition was attended by St Andrews councillors, Frances Melville, Robin Waterston and Dorothea Morrison, and other Fife Councillors, as well as Sir Menzies Campbell MP and local resident Ted Brocklebank MSP. Representatives of community organisations in St Andrews were also very positive in their support. Herb Kohler, Chairman and CEO of Kohler Co. was present at the Exhibition for parts of both days and later expressed his delight at the level of interest and enthusiasm taken in his company’s plans for Hamilton Hall.
Kohler Co. is now carefully evaluating all the comments made on the Exhibition Questionnaires as it finalises the renovation and redevelopment options prior to submitting a planning application to Fife Council and discussing their proposals with Historic Scotland.