Call to 'let dust settle in the wake of Kingask'

The Courier, 2 March 1999

Fife's head of planning, Mr David Rae, has said it would be sensible to “let the dust settle” instead of holding an immediate round-table meeting in the wake of the refusal of planning consent for the proposed £50 million hotel, conference, golf and leisure facility at Kingask, near St Andrews.

He made the point in a letter to St Andrews councillor Frances Melville, who recently called for an “overview” of the implications of potential hotel, golf and leisure developments around the town.

Mrs Melville says a realistic way forward should be identified. She said it should be remembered the Scottish Secretary had called for the recently agreed St Andrews Strategic Study due to pressure from developers, and that years of work had gone into a transportation plan.

Mr Rae has pointed out Fife Council, through the east area development committee, has determined the application for Kingask.

It has been revealed that an appeal against this decision is to be lodged with the Scottish Secretary. He has also made it clear that there could be some other kind of challenge to the decision, or the submission of yet another planning application by the developers for the Kingask site.

The application - the subject of controversy from the day it was announced until its rejection by the committee early last month - raised questions about the infrastructure in and around St Andrews, and the ability of the town centre to cope with the traffic from any major nearby developments.

In his letter to Mrs Melville the official referred to a view expressed by her that the recently adopted St Andrews Strategic Study had “fallen at the first hurdle.” It has been suggested all parties with an interest in the future of St Andrews should meet at an early date.

Mr Rae said he had received invitations from the community council and preservation trust to discuss the same issues, and although he had indicated a willingness to do this, times and dates had to be agreed.

He added that against the background of Kingask there was the current application - for golf course and leisure development - at Scooniehill, and the prospect of a further application for Feddinch.

“In my view there is no need to rush into another strategic study or non-statutory development plan approach at this time. It seems to me sensible to let the dust settle in the wake of Kingask.”

Mr Rae said that the St Andrews Area local plan was one of the most up-to-date local plans in Fife.

Furthermore, he said, the recently approved structure plan housing alteration made it clear there was no justification for further housing development in east Fife in the near future.

He said the arguments arose over how these documents and policies should be interpreted.

Though willing to meet individuals and organisations to discuss any or all these matters, he did not feel a round-table meeting should be immediately convened; it might raise expectations beyond reasonable levels, and could cause confusion for residents, community organisations, Fife Council services, external agencies, and potential developers.