Dreams of a new Madras College may not become a reality for at least another four years, it has been revealed.
Councillors have been told that is the minimum timescale needed to deliver the secondary school at the preferred Langlands site in St Andrews, despite hopes decades of wrangling on the issue were nearing an end.
Education chiefs said the school would take two years to build but work would only start on site after a wider masterplan for the area was complete, a process expected to take at least 18 months.
Outraged councillors expressed dismay at yet another delay to the project and have called for matters to be accelerated.
They have also expressed concern that if some aspects of the masterplan prove unpopular in St Andrews, the planning process could stall the proposal even further.
Tay Bridgehead councillor Tim Brett, whose ward forms part of the Madras catchment area, said: “I am frankly appalled.
“We have waited 25 years and we finally have agreement in principle to proceed at Langlands.
“I don’t understand why we have this further delay.”
Fife Council announced a fortnight ago it was in the final stages of negotiations to buy Langlands from St Andrews University.
While it is the preferred site from an education point of view, three other areas of the town will also undergo detailed planning and environmental assessments before councillors are asked to select a final option in February.
Remodelling the existing Kilrymont building or creating a new school on that site has also been mooted, along with new plots at Craigtoun Road and Strathkinness High Road.
A planning application submitted for the controversial Pipeland site will now be withdrawn at the request of the education service.
SNP leader Councillor Brian Goodall said there was a “major difference” between what was announced at full council and what was now on the table, and added: “It’s vital that it’s deliverable in terms of timescale.”
Council leader David Ross said he shared the concerns but expressed hope the estimates were “on the pessimistic side”.
“If this is selected as our preferred site I would hope the timescale could be accelerated considerably from that,” he said.
