CONTROVERSIAL PLANS for the expansion of the Fairmont St Andrews hotel, golf and leisure complex are to be decided by councillors next week, and councillors are to visit the clifftop site in advance of the meeting.

The proposals will be considered by the north-east Fife area committee, whose members asked for a chance to form an impression of how the development would look.

The applicants have now erected scaffolding structures which show the height and scale of the plan, which involves 37 two and three-bedroomed holiday lodges, 20 holiday apartments, 14 themed suites, a public house, bistro, restaurant and spa.

The development would be partly new build, and partly redevelopment of a steading.

Fairmont general manager Charles Head yesterday said the scaffolding had shown there would be “minimal visual impact.”

The application has run into opposition from local and national conservation bodies, and members of the local community council.

On the other hand support has been expressed from sections of the local business community, who see the development providing a continuing benefit to the local and national economy.

Mr Head said nine temporary structures have been erected showing the proposed new development and a steading development for which planning permission already exists, and which would have been “higher and more prominent.”

The proposed development, he said, is lower and set back in a less prominent way, and the scaffolding demonstrated that the development would not be visible from St Andrews at street level, and would be largely hidden from the main A917 coast road as a result of mounding and landscaping work.

Mr Head said that based on feedback during the development stage, the plans for the proposed steading development were adapted to minimise the visual impact.

“As part of our development of this project we have listened carefully to feedback from our stakeholders and this is reflected in the revisions we made to our plans.

“The proposed development is not only a vital factor in the future growth and profitability of the resort, but will also provide an important boost to the local economy.”

It is claimed the proposed development is set to deliver economic benefits including an additional 40 full-time and 40 part-time jobs.

The applicant states, increased visitor expenditure would support a further 75 full-time jobs, and there would be more business for the resort’s local suppliers.