Developers play down difficulties over feu

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 9 April 1999

St Andrews University has run into some difficulty with the new prestige Gateway development on the edge of the town due to unforeseen legal problems which have arisen over its prominent site adjacent to one of the main entries to the town.

This was confirmed yesterday as the deadline for a start on work approaches, although one of the the partners, St Andrews International Ltd, said yesterday it still intended to be going “full steam ahead” in May.

Planning consent for the scheme on land at the North Haugh was granted at the beginning of February, with applicants St Andrews International Ltd aiming to work in partnership with the land owners, St Andrews University.

The site of the multi-million project has in recent weeks been the subject of an archaeological dig which has turned up human remains and a wealth of information about the area.

An early start to construction work had been expected but there have been reports in the town, however, that conditions initially set by a feu superior for the ground would have led to extra cost of £5 million pounds over the next 100 years.

The development would see the establishment of a museum and exhibition telling the “St Andrews Story,” together with a conference hall, lecture theatre, cafe and shop.

There would also be an exhibition of some of the priceless artefacts in the possession of the university, many of which have never been available to the public gaze.

Also in the building would be sports and leisure facilities, a further exhibition related to golf, a home-of-golf lounge, dining facilities and a library.

The plans had a controversial passage through the East Area development committee before they were approved and were described by area planning manager Jim Birrell as having the potential to benefit the university and at the same time broaden the base of attractions for visitors to the town.

Yesterday the question over difficulties with a feu superior was put to the university.

While acknowledging that talks have been taking place over the scheme, a spokesman did not confirm or deny the figures being talked about.

“The university position and that of St Andrews International Ltd is that they intend to carry on conducting their discussions with any interested party in the utmost confidence.”

Mr Jeremy Grieve, of St Andrews International Ltd, said yesterday the issue was one between the university, its lawyers and the feu superior.

He said he had been aware of discussion about the feuing situation but although the figures mentioned might have been “a starter for ten” they had been negotiated down in size.

Mr Grieve said his company would be taking the ground “clean,” with a site rent and with the feu issue resolved. That, he said, appeared to have been done.

At the moment, a fibre-optic cable was being moved, site huts should soon be in place and it was expected that the first turf would be cut in May, said Mr Grieve.