Kingask plan claims dismissed

The Courier, 25 June 1999

Some of the claims made by opponents of the proposed £50 million golf related development at Kingask, on the outskirts of St Andrews, were dismissed out of hand yesterday.

Dennis Macdonald, a founder member and a former chairman of St Andrews Community Council, said that “a few truths” had emerged following last week’s departure hearing meeting into the multi-million developments planned for Kingask, Feddinch and Scooniehill.

Mr Macdonald has consistently spoken in support of the Kingask project in particular during the series of meetings of the community council - of which he is a member - when it has come under discussion, highlighting the opportunities of employment for local people.

He said yesterday, “The prospect of jobs and security for many people is worth more than the damaged vista of the residents in the upper part of the St Rule Tower.

“Myself and many of my contemporaries have long awaited some kind of development such as this since returning to St Andrews after war service. It is a pity it has taken so long.”

Mr Macdonald made it clear, however, that he was opposed to the planned development at Feddinch, the largest of the three applications currently under consideration by Fife Council.

He added that if the Kingask plan was turned down then he would support the scheme for Scooniehill, although he voiced doubts that the two projects together would be a success.