The Hannah Research Institute, Ayr, which has had its funding from SEERAD withdrawn from this year, is to sell off its land-based assets after a programme of adding value to them. This announcement follows the moving of research activity which was based at The Hannah to Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian Universities and the Rowett Institute.
While a number of options had been explored for the Hannah, under the conditions of John Hannah’s original gift, any commercial enterprise, whether alone or as a joint venture, has had to be ruled out. The only remaining choice, that of managed disposal, is the route to be taken with the proceeds from assets sold being used to continue to support research.
Keith McKellar, Chief Executive of The Hannah, has already been in discussions with both Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, and with the economic development department of South Ayrshire Council, and with completion of a detailed feasibility study, it is clear that a definite market exists for the development of a hotel, golf course and limited housing development on the site.
Keith McKellar says:
“It is our objective now to gain planning consents for the site in order to maximise its appeal to potential developers. Funds generated from the assets sold will be invested in a professionally managed portfolio from which the gains will continue to fund research so keeping to the requirements of the original gift.
“It is our view, echoed by others, that the type and scale of development for which we will be seeking outline consent, will bring significant economic and employment benefit to the Ayrshire economy - potentially several times greater than that of the Institute.”
“The Hannah, in its 77 years existence as a research institute, has made a number of significant contributions in the fields of dairy and human health, and we are optimistic that the objective’s of John Hannah’s gift will be maintained, along with the heritage of the Institute and the Hannah name, with the adoption of this approach.”
