A proposed new link road and roundabout in St Andrews has been deemed “acceptable in all regards” by planners ahead of the issue being considered by councillors on Wednesday.
Consent is being sought for the new route from the A91 through the North Haugh to the proposed St Andrews West expansion, although the fact that more than five objections have been received means it will have to go before North East Fife’s planning committee for approval.
The plans are considered key as the proposed route would serve as a northern access point for the St Andrews West Strategic Development Area and also serve the long-awaited planned replacement for Madras College at Langlands.
However, 24 letters of objection to the proposal and 20 letters of support have been received – so it could prove a contentious one for elected members next week.
One of the most prominent objections has come from St Andrews Community Council, who maintain there is a better alternative route shown which to them is more favourable due to its shorter length which would be safer for school children, pedestrians and cyclists.
They also consider the proposed toucan crossing on the A91 is an inadequate solution to meeting the needs of those groups and have suggested that an underpass or overbridge be provided instead.
In his report to committee, case officer William Shand acknowledged that the development would have a large impact on trees and would result in the loss of trees within an arboretum which are considered special specimens, and also has the potential to impact on local ecology.
However, he added: “The proposed mitigation would ensure that there was no significant adverse impact through the level of replacement planting and would deliver a high quality publicly accessible environment with enhanced arboretum.
“There would be no other significant impact from the development in terms of transportation, flood risk, built heritage or residential amenity.
“An area of open space would be lost, however this would not be significant and would be more than compensated for through the improved landscaped area.
“The development is considered acceptable in all regards.”
