College £2.5m land deal to be sealed

A deal is close to being struck for the purchase of land for the new Madras College.

Fife Council said terms were almost settled on an option agreement with St Andrews University for buying the 18-acre Langlands site for £2.5 million.

The agreement would also see Fife Council hand over the St Andrews school’s South Street building to the university on the same date, and lease it until the £50m new school is complete.

Councillors will be asked tomorrow to authorise service heads to agree the terms of the lease of the South Street campus at a nominal rent.

They will also be asked to authorise the grant of a licence to occupy land at Straiton Park for construction by the university of a new road to the school.

A report by Ken Gourlay, head of the council’s assets, transportation and environment service, says: “Good progress has been made in discussions with the university and terms of the option agreement are close to being agreed.”

He said the agreement was subject to a number of conditions, including obtaining all necessary consents for building the school and completion of the access road by the university.

A consultation is being conducted and drop-in sessions will be held at Madras College, Kilrymont Road, today, and at Tayport Primary School tomorrow, both from 2pm to 8pm.

It is expected that a planning application will be submitted in autumn.

Good progress has been made in discussions with the university. COUNCIL REPORT