Fresh plans have been submitted for new student accommodation at St Andrews’ East Sands.
The project was blocked a year ago by councillors worried about loss of open space and the height, form and mass of the proposed buildings.
A Scottish Government reporter later rejected an appeal. However, the firm behind it has gone back to the drawing board and come up with a new design.
The accommodation now proposed would have 135 bedrooms instead of 159 and be further away from neighbours and the beach.
Applicant Alumno Developments said it had addressed the concerns of Fife Council’s North-East Fife Area Committee.
Managing director David Campbell said: “We were surprised when the area committee voted to refuse our initial application, given there is a pressing need for managed, good-quality student accommodation in St Andrews.
“In revising the proposals, we have taken on board the committee’s comments. In particular, we have reduced the size of the development by cutting the number of student bedrooms.
“This has allowed us to move the student accommodation further away both from local properties and the East Sands.”
The new design, he said, used materials which made the proposed building even more sympathetic to the local landscape and surroundings.
A survey by Alumno examining the need for student accommodation has also been updated, highlighting the pressure on the local housing market by student lets, which Alumno claims would be relieved by its development.
The proliferation of student flats in the town centre prompted Fife Council to place a moratorium on new houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
Mr Campbell said: “There is a pressing demand for new student accommodation in St Andrews, which is likely to become even greater given Fife Council’s moratorium on HMOs, with St Andrews Student’s Association raising their concerns.”