Plans to build flats in St Andrews have been criticised by the town’s preservation trust, after claims the town centre is becoming a “student enclave.”
Trustees insist its centre is now little more than a “domestic extension” of the university.
A total of 14 student flats have been proposed for a site on Westburn Lane. However, the application faces opposition from the trust and community council, which claimed the plan would represent an “over-development” of the town’s historic conservation area.
Trust planning convener David Middleton wrote in a letter to the council, “There is no need for additional student accommodation as the university student population is stated by the university to have been static for the past three years.
“The university also has a student accommodation building programme which will provide a substantial number of new flats at David Russell Hall.”
The trust is keen to see “permanent family housing” on town centre land.
“The centre of St Andrews has progressively become a domestic extension of the university and is now at least 80% occupied by houses in multiple occupation and other student accommodation,” Mr Middleton said.
“The assessed need in St Andrews is for family housing, mainly of an affordable character.”UnnecessaryThe preservation trust insists the proposed development is “unnecessary.”
“If allowed it would offend against … the best use of scarce land in the conservation area,” Mr Middleton continued. “This is a very restricted site, and a better living environment will be provided by student accommodation developments already taking place on more suitable sites within the town.
“This would be a cramped and unsuitable environment for young people … This development propels the historic town centre even nearer to becoming a totally exclusive student enclave with no permanent residents.”
Community council members said, “The number of HMOs (houses in multiple occupation) in St Andrews town centre has had a serious effect on the community.
“Large areas of the town are deserted out of term time … and it is virtually impossible for families and other prospective owners to buy houses in St Andrews.
“Clearly there will eventually be development on this site, but surely the majority of St Andrews residents would prefer to see houses and flats available to families.
“It is regrettable that approval of this application would not provide any affordable housing the only kind of housing which is needed in the town.”