A fresh row has erupted between Fife Council and St Andrews University over plans for a new Madras College after recent remarks made by the outgoing principal.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier last month, Professor Louise Richardson confirmed her biggest regret from her time at the helm was the failure of the university and the local authority to work out a deal over a new Madras College.
She also stated that the university’s offer of the so-called ‘pond site’ at North Haugh as a direct swap for the existing South Street building of Madras was still on the table.
Fife Council leader David Ross has now hit back strongly by suggesting her statement in relation to the ‘pond site’ was “disingenuous”.
“I wish Professor Richardson well as she moves to take up her new post,” Mr Ross said.
“I appreciate the contribution she has made to the university and to Fife, and acknowledge in particular the role she played in developing a positive future for the Byre theatre.
“However, I must object strongly to her remarks in relation to Madras.
“Her statement that the so-called pond site is still available is disingenuous.
“As she knows full well, the university placed a condition on the sale of this land which could not be accepted by the council.
“The university refused to allow the sale price for the site to be determined by the independent district valuer.
“Every time this has been discussed, the university has confirmed that they will not accept the district valuer’s valuation.
“Professor Richardson has said one thing in public but taken a different approach in her dealings with the council.
“For Professor Richardson to make these remarks now is very disappointing given her knowledge of the position.
“It is also disappointing that the university has failed to recognise the pond site has limitations which prevent us from fulfilling our aspiration to provide the best possible secondary school for the St Andrews area.”
Despite Mr Ross’s response to Prof Richardson’s comments, a spokesman for St Andrews University insisted the council “cannot and should not cite lack of availability of the pond site” as one of its reasons for choosing the Pipeland site.
“Councillor Ross’s claims are deeply unfortunate and incorrect in almost every respect,” the spokesman added.
“We are at a loss to understand how he can ‘object’ to the truth.
“The offer to which Professor Richardson referred a straightforward excambion of the pond site for Madras South Street remains very firmly on the table, as it has done since 2014.”