Concerns of bias over course plan dismissed

Michael Alexander, The Courier, 22 March 2004

A St Andrews councillor confirmed yesterday that she will participate in the decision-making process for St Andrews Links Trust's proposed new seventh public golf course, dismissing suggestions her influence on the vote might be biased by her having spent seven years as a member of the links management committee.

St Andrews south member Sheila Black told The Courier she would be involved when the application comes before Fife Council’s east area development committee on March 30 - despite three other councillors who have close involvement with the trust already stating they are debarred from taking part.

Last month The Courier revealed that Peter Douglas, whose ward includes the proposed golf course, along with Frances Melville, who chairs the east area development committee, and St Andrews member Bill Sangster, had not been allowed to participate in or even attend a special planning hearing.

Mr Douglas revealed then that, under protocol governing planning matters, all three were debarred from the departure hearing and planning decisions regarding the trust application.

This is because all three have involvement with the trust. Mrs Melville is a trustee and she is a member of the trust management committee along with Mr Sangster.

Although Councillor Black - a keen golfer - is no longer a member of the trust management committee, there has been speculation locally that her long service to the trust during years when the idea of a seventh course may have been considered could have a bearing on any decision she makes on the course at the planning committee.

Yesterday, she told The Courier she had checked the legal situation with Fife Council head of law and administration Harry Tait and, as a former member of the links management committee, she was “perfectly entitled” to take part.

She had a great interest and knowledge in St Andrews golfing matters and, as with all planning applications, would consider all sides of the argument.

With councillors Melville and Sangster debarred from taking part she said the remaining two St Andrews councillors - herself and Jane Ann Liston - would have an even greater role to play in getting the views of St Andrews people across when the application is considered. She was sure a balanced and reasonable argument would take place.

Opinion in the town has been divided by the plans for the 200-acre site of farmland at Brownhills and Kinkell, around a mile from the centre of the town.

The multi-million-pound plan by the trust for the cliff-top site to the south-east of St Andrews comprises an 18-hole course, a 40-seater restaurant, a greenkeepers’ shed, a clubhouse and ancillary buildings.

Objectors have questioned the need for a seventh course and have suggested that the application goes against the original ethos of the links trust.

With a green belt still to be flnalised for the town, doubts have also been expressed about the development of this peripheral site.

However the trust maintains that the new course is required to meet the spiralling local demand, particularly over the last decade.

The latest statistics, released by the trust this week, show the number of rounds played on the St Andrews links by local golfers has risen 27% in the first two months of the year.

According to the latest figures almost 13,400 rounds were clocked up over the six courses.

This compares to 10,770 for the same period last year.

Residents of St Andrews accounted for over half the total - 7 100 rounds compared to 5600 last year.

Visitor rounds for the same period were 3066, a rise of 24%.

The new development is likely to provide around 20 full-time jobs.

The local authority planners have received around 16 objections and several notifications of support for the project.

If it gets approval the trust hopes to have the new course open by 2006- 2007.

The seventh links trust course is not the only golf-related St Andrews application due to come before what is set to be a rather busy east area development committee on March 30.

Plans from the St Andrews International Golf Club for a multi-million-pound golf and leisure development for a 244-acre site at Feddinch, to the south-west of the town, are also due to be considered by the committee - with all members entitled to take part in the vote.

That application, which has also divided opinion in the area, is for a private club catering for home-based and overseas members and comprising a golf course, clubhouse, 40 luxury suites or the use of members, leisure facilities including a swimming pool, conference rooms, office accommodation and a greenkeepers’ store.