Campaigners for the new Madras College at Pipeland fear that St Andrews will never get a new secondary school.
Parent Voice, the group fighting for construction of a new Madras College, said parents across north-east Fife would be devastated by the Court of Session’s ruling to force Fife Council to reconsider its decision to build at Pipeland.
It said: “The outcome means that hundreds of children and young people will have to continue to receive their secondary education in buildings which are not fit for purpose, for a now unknown and indefinite period.
“Indeed, we fear that the new school may never be built in St Andrews, given the lack of available sites in and around the town.”
St Andrews councillor Brian Thomson expressed hope the council would resubmit its planning application for Pipeland with any errors corrected.
He said: “I’m obviously very disappointed with this decision … the only alternative is the hugely unpopular and third-rate option of a refurbishment of the Kilrymont Road building.”
North East Fife MSP Roderick Campbell said: “Whilst I respect the judgment, it is deeply unfortunate that the desperate need for a new secondary school to be built in St Andrews has suffered this setback. It is vital that all parties come together, as best they can, and constructively consider what alternatives exist.”