Setting the record straight on Madras

Sir – May I correct some misconceptions propagated by my colleague, Councillor Kat Leslie, in her letter “Selfish to deprive pupils of new Madras”, (Letters, February 10)?

First, everyone has a democratic right to comment on planning applications, and those who do so deserve support and commendation from elected members for contributing to local planning democracy.

Did Cllr Leslie read the objections made by St Andrews residents to the A91 link road? Did she mug up the convoluted planning history of the first Madras application at Pipeland before traducing the motives of objectors? Had she done so, she might have learnt something from their knowledge of the planning system and their commitment to ensuring development in St Andrews takes place in the most sympathetic and sustainable way possible.

She might also have appreciated that Fife planners do not always know best, which is why the council lost its judicial review and had to abandon the Pipeland application.

Second, while everyone agrees a new Madras is desperately needed, the responsibility for delivering it lies squarely with Fife Council. It cut corners when it came to consultation and the planning process over the Pipeland site, hence its failure.

Again, if Cllr Leslie had done her homework, she would know that the possibly show-stopping delay to the present application is not the access road, but that Fife Council has decided it cannot consent it until the whole St Andrews West development has received outline planning permission.

This is in the hands of four private developers and no one knows when they will reach agreement to submit their application, or when it will be consented, given that it will be extremely complex and controversial. The tendency for councillors to scapegoat individuals in St Andrews for the delay in delivering a new school merely stokes community conflict.

By covering up the council’s incompetence, it also distracts elected members and officers from addressing the real obstacles to delivering a new school. If consent for the new Madras cannot be separated from consent for the St Andrew West development, then we need to develop an alternative site sooner rather than later.

Linda Holt. Councillor – East Neuk and Landward, Dreel House, Pittenweem.

Picture: Kim Cessford. Protesters oppose the decision not to build the new school at Pipeland.