Hepburn Gardens care home proposal rejected after appeal

‘White House’ plan blocked by reporter for being ‘overbearing’

Construction of a care home in a St Andrews villa has been blocked by a Scottish Government reporter.

Fife Council had already rejected a bid to turn the century-old property in Hepburn Gardens, known as the White House, into a 40-bed home with two extensions.

The scheme has now been turned down again following an appeal by Aberdeen-based developer CAF Properties against the council’s decision.

Scottish Government reporter Mike Shiel concluded the attractive arts and crafts building, which sits in the town’s conservation area, would be “visually swamped” by the proposal.

Had it been approved, the White House would have been run by the William Gibson Trust, replacing its ageing Gibson House care home which is no longer considered fit for purpose.

Mr Shiel refused planning permission for the development, which generated dozens of objections, saying: “While the retention of the existing attractive building is to be welcomed, I find that the scale and proximity of the proposed extensions would be overbearing.”

The house is among a list of properties considered notable in a conservation area characterised by outstanding villas.

Although the appearance of the original building would be largely unaffected, he said, its southern elevation would have its importance diminished by the new extension.

He also said the conservation area character would be harmed and HGV deliveries to the home would cause significant disturbance to neighbours.

Mr Shiel said provision of modern care home facilities would be a worthwhile objective for the town but added: “I have concluded that the currently proposed development is not suitable for the site.”

More than 40 people and organisations, including the town’s community council, made objections.

Charlie Ferrari, CAF Properties, said: “We are understandably disappointed by the reporter’s decision to dismiss the appeal for our proposed care home.

“We feel the refusal was a missed opportunity to address the severe lack of high-standard care home provision in St Andrews. We will be reviewing our next steps and will update the community in the coming weeks.”

“We feel the refusal was a missed opportunity to address the severe lack of highstandard care home provision in St Andrews. CHARLIE FERRARI, CAF PROPERTIES

Picture: Steven Brown. The building at 92 Hepburn Gardens which is at the centre of the plans.