Works to construct a new St Andrews bowling club have been stopped, as the developer has yet to formally secure planning permission and comply with conditions.
St Andrews Labour councillor Brian Thomson said the developer Aberdeen-based CAF Properties (SABC) Ltd has recently commenced the construction of a new bowling club, which is part of a proposed redevelopment of the site that includes 15 flats.
However, it has transpired that a legal agreement which is required before planning permission can be issued has not yet been finalised.
The legal agreement relates to required financial contributions by the developer towards off-site affordable housing (£198,000), education (£12,000) and replacement play equipment in the adjacent public park (£15,000).
It has also transpired that conditions attached to the draft planning permission relating to site investigations and the remediation of contamination that’s understood to be on the site of the proposed flats have not yet been satisfied.
Mr Thomson said: “The matter was discussed at the last meeting of the St Andrews Community Council and, at that stage, Fife Council planners had confirmed that any works that had been carried out on the site were considered to be ‘pre-development works’.
“However, the following week, a local resident advised planners and St Andrews councillors that concrete foundations were being laid. The works have now been stopped, pending resolution of the outstanding issues.
“I hope that the legal agreement and other outstanding issues can be resolved as soon as possible particularly as the facilities to be provided in the proposed new club house look fantastic but it’s not acceptable for developers to be commencing works without having the necessary planning approvals in place.”