'Gateway' opponents address departure hearing

The Citizen, 1 January 1999

Opposition to the new £8 million “Gateway Centre” on the North Haugh was voiced by worried St Andrews residents at a recent departure from development plan hearing, held in Madras College.

About 20 people attended the hearing to tell members of the committee why they were opposed to the development, which is to include a museum, fitness club and shop.

One woman said: “There is really no need for such a development in the town and, anyway, who is it really aimed at? Certainly not the people of St Andrews.

“I and several others certainly don’t want to see what will amount to a pleasuredome in the North Haugh.”

Mr Alastair McLay, of Kennedy Gardens, objected to the proposals because the building would have an “adverse effect on the St Andrews’ mediaeval skyline,” and to accept the proposals would constitute a departure from the St Andrews Area Local Plan.

He added: “When viewed from the A91 Cupar road, what will be evident will be an aggressively dominant circular tower building standing on an elevated mound with a height equivalent to a six-storey block of flats.”

Mr McLay also objected to the proposed building on the grounds that the plans went beyond the purposes in the Local Plan Policy S13, because the application related to a development within an area defined as “university” on the Local Plan proposals map.

St Andrews International Ltd, in conjunction with the University of St Andrews, are behind the proposals for the new building.

Mr Jeremy Grieve, a director of St Andrews International, said: “Having been brought up in St Andrews, and having went to St Andrews University, the town is something which is very close to my heart and I only have its best interests in mind.

“I believe that the Gateway Centre will be an investment to St Andrews.

“Knowing the sensitive issue of the St Andrews skyline, this has been considered very carefully and several changes have been made to the plans when taking into account various objections.”

The planning application for the building will come before the committee early in the New Year.