The building of a new complex of flats for more than 60 students in central St Andrews has been prevented by local councillors.
The 14 flats were to be built in Westburn Lane, beside the university’s Bute Building.
Although Fife Council planners recommended the scheme be permitted, the north-east Fife planning committee denied planning permission.
The St Andrews Preservation Trust had urged councillors to call a halt to the proposal, claiming more family homes, not more student accommodation, was desperately needed in the town centre.
St Andrews councillor Robin Waterston led the move to refuse permission, claiming the proposal was lacking in design quality and open space and failed to respect the character of the area and residential amenity.
Concerns were voiced about the height of the buildings and the density of accommodation.
Mr Waterston said, “I don’t think there is any assessment of housing need that says we need more HMOs (houses of multiple occupation) in St Andrews.”
Describing design as the critical element, he added, “The height is severely out of scale with the east side of Westburn Lane.”
Only one councillor, Tim Brett, who represents Tay Bridgehead, was in favour of the scheme by Angus Thomson of Edinburgh.
He said, “We are concerned about the proliferation of HMOs in St Andrews. Here is an opportunity for a new building to help ease this pressure.”
Referring to the lack of garden ground for the flats, he added, “I don’t honestly think that students are too worried about the amount of open space they have.”