St Andrews aquarium reveals plans to expand
One of Fife’s top tourist attractions is looking to expand.
St Andrews Aquarium wants to develop its breeding programme by expanding into derelict land next to its seafront base.
A planning application has been submitted to Fife Council.
The hugely popular aquarium, situated on The Scores, is home to seals, penguins and more than 100 fish species.
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Hide AdEstablished for more than 20 years, it wants to raise its existing sea walls and build on a section on land currently owned by the local authority and leased by the aquarium for use as a waterlife park.
A statement in support of the application said: “The western part of the site is in current usage as the seal pool at St Andrews Aquarium.
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“The eastern part was last used as an outdoor swimming pool/lido. This has been closed and the area out of use for several years.”
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Hide AdThe aquarium said the proposed expansion would allow it to expand its breeding programmes and further develop its educational links.
It added: “The raison d'être of the aquarium is to provide a rich education on marine, and some non-marine flora and fauna, to people of all ages.
“Part of the aquarium’s breeding programme which includes otters and Humboldt penguins shall be housed within the proposed extension. “
The application described the aquarium as “a vibrant part of the local economy providing year-round, all weather access for visitors to Fife.”
Councillors will consider the plan in due course.