Latest golf project has 'green' in sight

The Courier, 12 January 1999

The latest multi-million golf and leisure development planned for countryside near St Andrews would be “ecology-led” and have low visual impact.

This was claimed by the company behind the scheme as what is sure to be another controversial debate gets under way.

It was revealed in November that a company called St Andrews International Golf Club Limited had major plans for a site at Scooniehill Farm, to the south of the town.

The company wishes to develop two 18-hole golf courses, a clubhouse, a leisure club, car parking and a golf academy.

The academy would incorporate an additional nine-hole golf course for novice play.

The application has been with planners in east Fife for some weeks and consultations with various bodies are taking place.

In a supporting statement agents for the applicants point out that the company is registered in the USA.

The project, it is said, is “ecology-led” and an environmental statement will be prepared before a detailed planning application is submitted.

The statement also claims that the courses will be designed by a leading architect who will create natural heathland areas blended into the existing terrain and that new buildings would respect the character and materials of the area’s traditional architecture.

Looking at traffic impact, it adds that the majority of members will be picked up at Glasgow or Edinburgh airports.

The applicants have estimated that a maximum of 20 coaches a week will travel to and from Edinburgh along roads which will bypass St Andrews itself.

Membership sales will be concentrated in the USA. It has been claimed that there would be major economic benefits for the area’s hotels and guest houses and other courses, priority for employment would be given to local residents and local construction companies would be shown preference.

Opportunities for membership would be available for local people.

Later this month members of Fife Council’s east area development committee are expected to reach a decision on plans from St Andrews Bay Development Limited for a huge hotel, golf course and conference project at nearby Kingask.