Conservationists claim dash to develop new courses and resorts threatens to erode heritage of St Andrews

Frank O'Donnell, Scotland on Sunday, 4 October 1998

The Auld Grey Toon is in turmoil over the game that has brought it worldwide fame. Conservationists have warned that the unique character of St Andrews, the home of golf, is in danger of being destroyed by the massive upsurge in popularity of the pastime.

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) has claimed that the town and the surrounding East Neuk of Fife is being swamped by US-styled golf resorts.

The town is now most famous for its Old Course, the hallowed links where golf has been played since the 17th century. But over the past five years, six new course have been built adding to the four already in the area, and two more about to be added.

The new developments at Kingsbarns and Kingask, south of the town, have been given planning permission. The Kingask Farm site is a £50 million Californian-style development which includes a 240-bedroom hotel and 40 timeshare holiday 'manors'.

The development at Kingsbarns, six miles south of St Andrews, is more advanced and could be open in 18 months.

The AHSS, backed by a number of local organisations and residents, is now asking Fife Council to put a brake on further development. The director, Dr Sean O'Reilly, said he was extremely concerned at the extent of development programmes in East Fife that were currently seeking planning permission or had already been approved.

"Our fear is that the myriad of developments surfacing on the already scarred face of Fife will destroy the unique character it still retains. We consider it appropriate that the planning authoriy host a meeting to talk through the issues that are of such concern to so many people in East Fife."

Pete Lindsay, of St Andrews Community Council, said there was more to the town than the game alone. "We would not want it to be entirely known for golf. The ideal view is a balanced one of the history, university, tourism and golf."

Some residents are also unhappy about the over-reliance on golf, despite the revenue it brings. "The East Neuk is already saturated with golfing developments," said William Bald. "St Andrews cannot cope with the extra traffic for these exclusive sites and the much-heralded coastal path will now be an uninterrupted tour of golf courses and luxury hotels."

The St Andrews Preservation Trust is equally adamant that the town's non-golfing heritage must be preserved. "St Andrews is the jewel in the crown, but the way we are heading it will end up as a third-rate piece of costume jewellery," said the chairwoman, Dorethea Morrison.

"The town is steeped in golf and we are not against that. What we are against is developers coming into the area and using golf as an excuse to make money."

With the new developments so close to the town, a large increase in traffic is inevitable. Jane Ann Liston, the Liberal Democrat councillor for St Andrews South-East, said this was one of her major concerns. "The road out of St Andrews to these new developments is narrow and twisting and there have already been several accidents."

Residents already cite problems caused by heavy lorries. One of the town's most historic buildings, the Roundel, is suffering foundation problems.

News that St Andrews' relationship with golf was uneasy surprised Graham Ewart, the championship secretary of the Scottish Golf Union. "I don't see anything wrong with building more and more courses," he said. "St Andrews epitomises golf the world over and golf is Scotland's natural heritage - we are delighted when any new golf course is built."

His main concern was that there were not enough local authorities putting money into golf. "It's a game for all of Jock Tamson's bairns to play. The more money local councils put into the game the more people can play the game."

Councillor Peter Douglas, the chairman of Fife Council's east area planning committee, warned conservationists would have a fight to stop further courses being constructed. "At present there is no limit on the number of golf courses in St Andrews. These developments could go on and on."