Mixed feelings over new golf course plan

Rosemary Dewar, The Citizen, 6 February 2004

Once bitten, twice shy, was the apparent feeling of councillors considering the pros and cons of a private golf course development proposed for the countryside on the outskirts of St Andrews.

Private individuals joined organisations such as St Andrews Community Council and the town's Preservation Trust - well-versed in the complexities of planning applications - to put their case for and against the application for a site at Feddinch Mains, St Andrews, at a special hearing in Cameron Hall last Thursday evening.

Applicants, Aberdeenshire-based St Andrews International Golf Club (Feddinch) Ltd, seek outline planning permission for the private course, a clubhouse incorporating 40 two-bedroomed suites, a greenkeeper's store, ponds, wetlands and the demolition of an existing steading on a site adjacent to the existing Duke's Course at Craigtoun.

Objectors spoke of their concerns over the effect the proposal would have on visual amenity, traffic generation, prejudice to the St Andrews green belt - due to be promoted through the local plan in September - and how the development fitted in, or not, with existing planning policy and legislation.

In addition, the fear that 'piggy-backing' on the new golf course would be a "160-bed hotel" was expressed by the St Andrews Green Belt Forum.

However, the developers - two Scots partners, who gave an assurance that there was no 'American mogul pulling the strings' behind the proposal - said the fact that Scottish Natural Heritage, "custodians of the natural environment,'' were satisfied with the proposal spoke volumes in its favour.

Cameron Community Council also supports the application which members hope will provide jobs and an economic boost for people and businesses from St Andrews and the surrounding villages.

However, Clayton Hardisty, of Wester Balrymonth Farm, said the existing infrastructure would not support such a development and told the hearing he had been plagued by poor water supply in the seven years he had lived in the area.

He added: "For a whole week in 2000, during the Open, we had no water.

''This summer, every weekend, we had a loss of supply or reduction in supply.

''I have been in contact with Scottish Water and there is nothing they can do. The main bore pipes are not big enough.

''With 40 units going up, demand will be increased and it is inappropriate to place further demand on the current system when it can't supply the demand of customers.''

Fife Council's East Area planning team leader, Nick Brian, said that was something his department could pursue with Scottish Water as the authority had indicated that water could be supplied from the main.

For the developers, Ewan McKay said research worldwide showed that a facility like Loch Lomond Golf Club - which had a reported entry fee of £60,000 - would be an attractive proposition.

Refuting the arguments against the £15 million Feddinch proposal, he said it would not operate as a hotel which would violate members' rights.

The club would bring clear economic benefits to the area and SIGC would be happy to submit to monitoring of both construction traffic and the 163 vehicles expected in and out of the development once it was up and running.

Councillors expressed real fears that their experiences over the development of St Andrews Bay would be repeated.

Local Councillor Peter Douglas, warned "You have a sticky albatross called St Andrews Bay around your neck. They broke every rule that was going.''