University plans 681 new beds for its students

A £70 million plan for new student accommodation in St Andrews is being considered by councillors.

The university wants to create 681 beds in eight new buildings at Albany Park, which it says should ease pressure on the town’s housing stock.

The development is part of a £100m investment in student accommodation over the next few years which should add another 1,000 rooms to the university’s current 4,000.

The application will be considered by the northeast planning committee.

Fife Council has received 39 objections, including from the community council.

They have outlined concerns including that the buildings are too high and too dense.

Objectors fear the proposed materials are inappropriate and that the development may affect views of the town from the East Sands.

There are also worries over flooding, but these are said to be have been addressed within the application.

Planning officer Natasha Cockburn recommended approval subject to a legal agreement requiring the university to contribute £5,000 towards potential improvements for cyclists at the Lade Braes.

Ms Cockburn said the student accommodation is appropriate.

“The applicant proposes sufficient parking within the site to accommodate the development and the proposals would not have any adverse impacts on the surrounding road network,” she said.

“Overall, the proposal represents a high-quality design which would develop a brownfield, vacant site.”

The university’s initial blueprint had included plans for 900 beds, which it cut amid council concerns about flood risk.

The plans include the conversion of Woodburn House into a two-bedroom flat and seven en suite bedrooms for warden accommodation.

Dining, laundry and other social spaces will be based in a steadings building.

More than 100 parking spaces, bin and cycle storage and a network of paths are also planned.