Construction of flats at the entrance to a new development in a historic part of St Andrews has been given the go-ahead despite Fife Council throwing out the scheme.
Robertson Homes has been given permission by a Scottish Government reporter to build 16 apartments in the former garden of St Nicholas House, one of several listed buildings in and around the old St Leonards Fields.
The two blocks of flats, standing two and three storeys high, will be the latest phase in the redevelopment of the land formerly occupied by St Leonards School, just off Abbey Walk, in the centre of the town.
The council’s north east Fife planning committee had knocked back the builder’s planning application amid concerns the blocks would be out of character with the listed buildings.
However, reporter Donald Harris concluded the designs were a “satisfying and harmonious scheme”.
He did, however, reduce the number of flats from 17 by scrapping a penthouse which he said would detract from the “simple uncluttered approach” to the building’s design.
He said: “With the exception of the proposed penthouse, the proposal is consistent with the preservation of the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“Although the planning authority (Fife Council) considers the proposal to represent overdevelopment, the two blocks relate well to the large scale of St Nicholas House.
“I do not think a smaller scale such as dwellings of one storey as some parties suggest would be appropriate.”
St Andrews councillor Dorothea Morrison led the vote against the scheme when the plan went before the council committee last autumn.
She voiced disappointment at the appeal, claiming blocks of flats at the gateway would make the otherwise attractive development look urban.
Mrs Morrison said the character of the area had been preserved during construction at St Leonards Fields and the flats were inappropriate for that important part of the site.
She said: “Whatever goes there really has to enhance the area, with all its listed buildings as well as St Nicholas House.
“There was the opportunity to do something to make people say ‘wow’ but I think instead people will see it as a missed opportunity.
“It’s now going to look like any other urban area.
“If something you would have expected to see there had been built, a lodge house for example, that would have enhanced the area and I’m quite disappointed that the reporter didn’t see that.”
Consultants behind the plans, Barton Wilmore, previously said the flats had been designed to “sit lightly” at the gateway location and the scale and density of the buildings was balanced with surrounding trees, landscaping and amenity areas.
Their vision had been to create high-quality, contemporary accommodation with traditional design.
The plans were the third submitted to the council for the site. Previous proposals for 28 flats then for 18 sheltered flats were both rejected.