Plans to transform a hotel on one of St Andrews most exclusive streets into flats have been approved – despite concerns over seagulls and parking.
The Russell Hotel on The Scores will be converted into six luxury apartments.
And the building’s more modern extension on Murray Place will be demolished and replaced.
The property operated as a 10-bedroom hotel for around 50 years.
However, it went on the market for £3.5 million earlier this year and it closed last month.
The Russell Hotel sits on Scotland’s sixth most expensive street, just a stone’s throw from the Old Course.
And developer WT The Scores Ltd plans to create a mix of two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a penthouse apartment in the loft space.
Russell Hotel apartments plan ‘deemed acceptable’
Eight people objected to the proposal, raising concerns over its impact on St Andrews conservation area.
However, members of Fife Council’s north east planning committee heard the building is not listed.
And planning officer Alastair Hamilton said: “The full planning application for the alterations and change of use is deemed acceptable in terms of both scale and design.”
Despite that, some councillors raised a seagull issue – a common problem in coastal towns.
Liberal Democrat member Al Clark said: “I know in St Andrews we do have issues with flat roofs and seagulls nesting on them.”
And Conservative Robin Lawson added: “Murray Park has an awful problem with seagulls.
“I wouldn’t want to park my car there.”
Some members also questioned car parking arrangements at the in-demand location.
Development ‘not making seagull problem worse’
Mr Hamilton said seagulls were not something that could be dealt with through the planning process.
However, he pointed out the Russell Hotel had had a flat roof for years and added: “It’s not making it any worse.”
He said parking should be “less onerous” than when the building was a hotel.
“If it’s a hotel, we have both staff and residents coming and going,” he said.
The officer also allayed fears over “unimaginable chaos” on narrow streets during the development work.
He said: “There are measures put in place to avoid particular periods when there are championships or events or graduations that produce additional traffic.
“Ultimately though, in an urban area, we will from time to time get difficulty where there is development.
“All we can do is manage that as best we can, otherwise there is no means to progress development.”
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