Community Council object to Scooniehill plans

The Citizen, 5 February 1999

St Andrews Community Council have lodged detailed objections to the proposed Scooniehill golf course development.

They have expressed their concern over the proliferation of golf-related developments proposed around St Andrews” which, they say, run the risk of turning the town into a “golf theme park,” if not a “golf-orientated version of Disney World.”

According to the Community Council, the 80 houses and ancillary facilities proposed at Scooniehill will allow for some 320 golfers to be accommodated on the site at any one time, something they consider to be a “substantial leisure/hotel-style development by any standards.”

They argue that the development is contrary to the St Andrews Strategic Study, the Fife Structure Plan and the St Andrews Local Plan saying that no need has been demonstrated for locating 80 houses in “this sensitive location.” Writing to Fife Council’s Area Planning Manager (East), the Community Council’s planning committee stated: “The promise of all these golf-related developments is the creation of jobs, and that preference for jobs will be given to local people.

“In view of the relatively small number of people unemployed in the St Andrews travel to work area, the 100 or more jobs that will be created by this development will add to the housing pressures in St Andrews, will put more pressure on our overcrowded health centre and will add to the overwhelming pressure on Madras College.

“There will be additional traffic generated in the town centre and the hopes of achieving a Green Belt to protect the unique environment of the town will be seriously damaged.

‘‘We believe a full environmental assessment should be undertaken on this project. Factors in the assessment should include the impact upon the landscape character in an Area of Great Landscape Value, the effect of pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers for the golf course upon the flora and fauna of the area, the likely impact on traffic through the town centre, the impact upon housing in and around St Andrews, the impact on Madras College and the Health Centre.”

The Community Council are also suggesting a 100-metre cordon around the existing residential development at Wester Balrymonth “to avoid danger to residents from wayward golf shots.”

If the application is given outline permission then the Community Council will also seek measures to ensure that the development does not exceed the current footprint of the Scooniehill steading and farmhouse, and they are seeking the preservation, and enhancement, of the historic Gregory’s Pillar.