An ambitious masterplan which developers say will hugely enhance one of Scotland’s most beautiful and historic towns has been formally submitted.
Planning permission in principle is being sought for a major development to the west of St Andrews which will comprise a mix of residential, university, business, education, local retail and community uses as well as associated infrastructure.
Around 1,000 new homes are envisaged as part of the St Andrews West project, while approval of the masterplan is also seen as key to the success of plans for a new £50 million replacement for Madras College at Langlands.
The St Andrews West LLP, a partnership made up of the University of St Andrews, Headon Holdings, and other local landowners, is behind the proposals, and they claim the result will be the creation of a dynamic business, residential and learning quarter to the west of the famous Fife town, with the site comprising land at North Haugh, Langlands, Northbank and land between the Strathkinness High and Low Roads.
If approved, the aim is to develop the masterplan east to west over a period of 20 years, with the first phase of development predicated over the need for a new Madras College and a new link road from the A91 to the edge of proposed school site.
A spokesperson for the St Andrews West LLP said the project should be an exemplar for creating development that feels like a “place” and a not a “bolt-on symptomatic of too many urban expansions in recent times”.
“St Andrews West should support and facilitate St Andrews as a place that will continue to flourish as an international centre of academic and cultural excellence,” it said.
“There should be long lasting benefits to the residents and businesses of St Andrews and Fife.
“The concept here is to create a new community which feels like a place and – like the medieval core – has texture, vistas and connectivity with a clear sense of identity that reflects the best character of St Andrews through richness of place, and the scale of buildings.
“This application is at planning permission in principle stage and so it sets the framework and vision that will guide future development coming forward within the masterplan area.
“The St Andrews West LLP is however committed to creating a place of quality, a legacy development, and recognise that this application is only the first stage of the process toward realisation.”
As well as the housing element, around 30% of which will be affordable homes, the masterplan features university uses, a business park and employment land, local retail sites, a care home, a hotel, a green network, community and social infrastructure, land for the new Madras and associated infrastructure such as footpaths and roads.
Members of the public will now have the chance to scrutinise the plans and make comments through the normal Fife Council planning process.
The plans can be viewed here.
