Campaigners in St Andrews have reacted with fury over revised plans for student accommodation and a hotel in the heart of the historic Fife town.
Robertson Property Limited have drawn up new proposals for a 90-bed hotel and apartments which could accommodate 104 students in Abbey Park following a backlash from locals concerned about the development being sited so close to assisted living apartments.
But despite the developer tweaking their blueprints in response to issues raised during a public consultation, a steering group of residents have now railed against the latest planning application – saying the new version makes no change to what’s intended, only where the buildings will be sited.
Dr Sandra Stewart, group spokesperson, described the development as “nothing short of vandalism driven by corporate greed” and revealed that the group is now seeking legal advice on how best to oppose it.
Dr Stewart also baulked at plans to cut down eight trees which currently have preservation orders on them, and accused the developers of paying little heed to the group’s objections.
“This is unsympathetic and systematic over-development in a conservation area,” she said.
“Residents and owners are furious at the cavalier attitude this developer is taking.
“Residents and owners are angry at the breaking of promises by the developer.
“What is the point of putting tree preservation orders on 200-year-old trees, when a developer can come along and submit a proposal to cut them down?
“We have gone from being promised seven water features on the site, with community space and sympathetic landscaping, to a token piece of grass.
“St Andrews already lacks green space.
“This is a multi-million pound organisation who can well afford to follow through on their promises but they are choosing not to.”
Dr Stewart similarly stressed that the development has been earmarked for the last piece of vacant land on the site and repeated previous accusations that the developer is putting “profit before people”.
Despite the objections, Robertson Property is pressing ahead with the planning application, which is expected to be submitted to Fife Council shortly, and confirmed that the company is in “detailed discussions” with a student and hotel operator respectively and hope to be able to announce this in due course.
Ross McNulty, development director, added: “We welcome feedback from the local community on the proposed development at Abbey Park, which meets the identified demand for a mid-market hotel and student accommodation in the town.
“Robertson is actively engaging with the public as the planning process continues, and we have already revised the development layout in line with feedback we received.”
