An ambitious blueprint which would see eight new apartments created within St Andrews’ conservation area have been lodged.
Architects Muir Walker & Pride have submitted a formal planning application to Fife Council for eight contemporary apartments on a steeply sloping site just off the A915 Bridge Street to the north of Kinness Place.
The proposals also incorporate an underground car park and two luxury penthouses on the top floor of the development, while the project would also require the demolition of the existing two-storey 1960s building at Southcroft, Lade Braes.
A design statement related to the plans said redevelopment of the site will “contribute to an increase in the housing stock of central St Andrews which will in turn contribute more to the local economy”, and urged planning officials to support the application.
“The development at 22 Lade Braes will form an important enhancement to the architectural character of Melbourne Place,” it adds.
“By improving what is otherwise visually an unattractive site on an important thoroughfare leading to St Andrews town centre, the proposal makes a positive contribution to the St Andrews conservation area.”
The site has a boundary with Lade Braes walk to the north, 18 Lade Braes to the east, 1 Kinness Place to the south, Melbourne Place and a planted strip of council-owned land to the west.
No formal objections have yet been tabled, although the response to the development is expected to be mixed.
Penny Uprichard, convenor of St Andrews Community Council’s planning committee, said members had not had a chance to discuss the application as yet before taking a view.
“All I can say at the moment is we will consider it when we have the details, particularly as it is in the Conservation Area,” she commented.
The plans have also surfaced on social media, and they seem to have polarised opinion.
One St Andrews resident said: “How ghastly! Totally out of character within St Andrews conservation area.”
However, another was more positive, adding: “Looks great, wake the old place up.”
Fife Council confirmed it had received the application from Muir Walker & Pride and would consider it in due course.
