By Gordon Berry

A MAJOR new university development in St Andrews which the local community council says will threaten the possibility of a new rail link to the town has been recommended for approval by council planning officials.

Members of Fife Council’s north-east Fife area committee will next week be asked to decide on the application for a multi-million pound new medical and science building at the North Haugh at the western entrance to the town.

The proposals include teaching and research laboratories, offices, a 300-seat lecture theatre, cafe and installation of rooftop plant.

In a report to the committee lead officer Chris Smith said 13 letters of representation had been received. Issues raised include impact on the conservation area, listed buildings and the town’s historic skyline.

It is also claimed the “gateway” to St Andrews would be affected and that the development is piecemeal and would be premature.

Mr Smith said that the building would be three storeys high and that other elements of the scheme included the formation of a main entrance drop-off area, 30 covered bicycle spaces, landscaping works and links to the existing physics and astronomy building.

The key facilities, he said, are for a maximum of 800 students and 150 staff, and the existing medical and sciences faculty based at the Bute Building at Westburn Lane in the town centre would be relocated to the new site.

The official said the design would be modern and that the application had been subjected to pre-application discussions, public consultation meetings and an open exhibition.

Council policy, said Mr Smith, advised that there is a presumption in favour of developments related to the needs of St Andrews University or which can take advantage of the university’s academic, research or physical resources.

He said the proposal is considered acceptable in principle given the site is located within the settlement boundary, is for a university- related use within an established educational area and is easily accessible through a range of alternative modes of transport.

It has also been pointed out that consideration should be given to ensuring that developments meet the council’s long-term sustainable aspirations and that if a proposal includes an element of renewable energy generation, then it is supported wherever possible.

“In this instance the proposal is considered acceptable in principle as the proposed building has been designed to meet the enhanced building standards as defined nationally,” he said.

In relation to the rail link issue, Mr Smith said council policy aims to safeguard land for potential transport routes/public transport linkages primarily from St Andrews to Leuchars.

“In this instance the proposal is considered acceptable as it is suitably distant from the indicative route, and provides sufficient space between the route and the closest built element not to impact/impede any future transportation infrastructure,” Mr Smith said.

He also made it clear that concern raised about impact on views is not a material consideration in determining this application as “nobody has the right to a view.”

He has concluded that the proposal is considered acceptable in meeting development plan policies and would protect the gateway to the town while ensuring the St Andrews skyline is uninterrupted by the built development.