Plans to double the size of St Andrews holiday park recommended for approval

Councillors have been urged to approve plans that would more than double the size of a north east Fife holiday park.

Stewart’s Resort owners want to build an extra 131 holiday lodges at Northbank Farm by Cameron, on the outskirts of St Andrews.

The work would mark the second phase of the £20 million development, which lies just off the A915 between St Andrews and Largoward.

The first phase, including 82 lodges, a restaurant and shops, is almost complete.

However, work has yet to start on a new swimming pool after it received planning permission last year.

The countryside site, which is just 200 metres from the protected Cameron Reservoir, is not allocated for development in the local plan.

And it is considered prime agricultural land.

However, Fife Council planning officers say the development would have no significant detrimental impact which would warrant refusal.

And they have recommended members of the north east planning committee give the go-ahead next week.

Objections over traffic, reservoir and geese

Planners have received 10 objections to the application, including from Cameron Community Council.

Concerns include the effect on the reservoir and the pink footed geese resident there.

There are also fears about extra traffic, drainage and the impact on the landscape.

However planning officer Bryan Reid said the extension of an existing tourism and leisure development would have a lesser impact on the environment than a new, standalone site.

And he said it would not result in extra peak-time traffic on the A915.

Mr Reid added: “It is noted the proposal would provide tourism facilities requiring a countryside location.”

He said the proposal was justified as a result.

If approved, work on the development must begin within three years.

History of Stewart’s Resort holiday park

The Stewart’s Resort plan involves 131 lodge-style static caravans, finished in cream and brown with black tile roofs.

It includes car parking and internal tarmac roads, as well as a natural play area.

Stewart’s Resort received planning permission in 2018 for 82 lodges, a restaurant, bar, shops and gym.

And the development is now almost complete.

Further permission was granted last year for a swimming pool but work has yet to start on that.

Meanwhile an application for 35 retirement caravans was refused by committee in December 2021 but the decision was overturned by Scottish Ministers on appeal.