Public inquiry into golf development plans

The Courier, 18 October 2000

St Andrews Community Council is to be represented at a public inquiry next month to argue its case against controversial plans for a new £25 million golf and leisure development on an extensive site to the south of the town.

More than a week of evidence is likely at the hearing following an appeal by the company, International Golf Club of St Andrews, against the decision of Fife Council to reject the plans for the near 500-acre site at Scooniehill.

The application for planning consent for two new 18-hole golf courses, residential suites, leisure facilities and a clubhouse development was turned down by members of the local authority’s East Area Development Committee after a long and sometimes stormy process through the planning system.

Councillors refused the development proposals - it would essentially be a private club aimed at the overseas market - by nine votes to four. The rejection came despite a clear recommendation for approval of the multi-million project by planning officials, and support from the local member Peter Douglas, and Cameron Community Council, the area which would have been most affected.

However, there was widespread opposition to the venture by a host of local and national organisations including St Andrews Community Council, the conservation pressure group St Andrews Preservation Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland and the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland.

Dr Frank Riddell, vice-chairman of the community council, said that its case against the development would focus on it being contrary to the St Andrews Strategic Study whose conclusions were accepted as policy by Fife Council and to several policies in the local and structure plans.

The community council will also highlight the serious consequential impact on educational provision at the town’s secondary school, Madras College, and the major implications for health provision if it was granted.

The public inquiry will be held towards the end of November in St Andrews Town Hall before Scottish Executive Reporter Ian Lumsden.