Ming raps Kingask agreement

St Andrews Citizen, 10 March 2000

North East Fife Liberal Democrat MP, Menzies Campbell, has criticised the latest development in the Kingask affair.

It was revealed last week that Fife Council would not be taking legal action against the developers of the hotel and golf complex outside St Andrews, after agreement was reached over construction traffic movements.

Mr Campbell said: "The decision of Fife Council to give in to pressure from the developers of Kingask is profoundly disappointing, but hardly surprising, given the history of this whole affair.

"The section 75 agreement, which we were assured was carefully and tightly drawn up so as to minimise the environmental effects of construction, has provided inadequate protection.

"The figures in the agreement have been based on the information supplied by the developers, which was accepted by the council. It is now clear that the figures in the agreement were wholly inaccurate. Who is going to take responsibility for an agreement that is so defective?

"This latest chapter will further undermine confidence in the planning system and Fife Council's approach to these matters.

"If there are no red faces in Fife Council, then there certainly should be!

"The truth is that too many people in Glenrothes were determined from the very outset that this development should go ahead, and that nothing should be allowed to stand in its way."