Public inquiry to decide on future of golf complex

The Courier, 1 September 2000

The future of plans for a new £25 million golf and leisure development on an extensive site to the south of St Andrews is to be decided at a public inquiry.

Several days of evidence are expected as the International Golf Club of St Andrews appeals against Fife Council’s refusal of planning consent for a 460-acre site at Scooniehill.

The company had wanted to provide two new golf courses, residential suites, leisure facilities and a clubhouse for what would be essentially a private club aimed at the overseas market.

The plans were considered by members of the council’s east area development committee after a lengthy process through the planning system.

The committee decided on a nine four vote to reject the plans, even though there was a recommendation for approval from planning officials, support from local councillor Peter Douglas, and backing from the most directly affected community council.

Opposition had been expressed by local and national bodies including St Andrews Community Council, the town’s preservation trust, the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, and Scottish Natural Heritage.

In recommending approval, planning officials had said that the proposals were not considered to be detrimental to an area of great landscape value, and that they conformed with development plan policies.

It had been felt, said a report, that there would be a positive contribution to the local economy, and that the impact could be delivered in a sensitive way.

The committee, however, took the view that development would be premature in advance of decisions about a new structure plan, and concern was also expressed about construction vehicles, traffic impact on the town centre and difficulties in implementing proposals put forward in a “green travel plan”

Yesterday Fife Council revealed that a provisional date of November 21 has been set for the inquiry, and that it could last for up to six working days. The venue will be St Andrews Town Hall, and evidence is to be heard by Scottish Executive Reporter Ian Lumsden