Threat of action over Kingask decision lifted

The Courier, 4 August 1999

The developers behind the planned £50 million golf course, hotel and leisure development at Kingask, near St Andrews, have welcomed a decision by St Andrews Community Council not to pursue legal action against Fife Council over its handling and approval of the project.

St Andrews Bay Development Ltd said yesterday that opponents had been quite right to raise any concerns they had with regards to the development.

However, the company now hopes that such energies can be channelled into working together to ensure that the Kingask project becomes something which the St Andrews community and Fife in general can be proud of.

Mr lain MacKinnon, operations director for SABDL, was amongst those who attended the public part of the community council meeting held in St Andrews Burgh Chambers on Monday night.

The special meeting had been arranged to consider counsel’s opinion on approval of the Kingask planning development, after concerns about Fife Council’s handling of the situation were raised by at least 230 St Andrews residents outwith the community council.

However, after lengthy and detailed discussion, the community council - a long-standing opponent to the Kingask development - regretfully agreed that it should not launch a review action on financial grounds.

Mr MacKinnon said yesterday, “Naturally the company is pleased that no further action is to be taken and we regard that decision as no more than good sense.

“In our view Fife Council acted throughout the planning process with the utmost propriety and regard for correct procedures. As this planning application was subject to such unprecedented levels of public scrutiny, it is clear the overwhelming majority of the public in Fife have no anxieties about the manner in which the planning process was conducted, or of the outcome.”

He added, “I have a high regard for the dedication and energy of those who sensibly expressed their concerns and opposition to the development, as they had every right to do.”

With planning consent granted by Fife Council on July 7, Mr MacKinnon confirmed that building works have been under way on the Kingask site for the last three weeks and major works should commence in September.

He reiterated his company’s reassurances that St Andrews Bay would “undoubtedly be a major boost to the tourism industry in Fife” and would “offer a significant contribution to the local economy.”

He said that some 500 construction jobs are anticipated with 275 permanent jobs being created once the project is complete.

He added, “St Andrews Bay Development Ltd remains, as always, committed to providing a successful facility which will be of permanent benefit to the community and to the economic vitality of all of Fife.”

Throughout the Kingask debate Fife Council has steadfastly maintained that it has dealt with the issues in a proper and correct manner.

Last night St Andrews Community Council’s decision was welcomed by the local authority’s Labour administration leader Councillor Christine May.

She said, “I am pleased they have come to this decision. We recognise that there were and remain concerns about proposals on this scale. I’m confident that the measures that have been put in place will in fact deal with those concerns and I know that the developer wants to live in harmony with the community in his neighbourhood. The objective is to do better for the economy of Fife, not spoil Fife.”