An £18 million scheme of retirement flats in St Andrews has been given the green light despite concerns it slipped through a planning loophole.
Knightsbridge was given consent for 78 flats in the walled garden of historic St Leonards Field, off Abbey Walk.
The shared equity apartments for the over-60s will be built by Bield Housing and Care and form part of a residential development of the town centre site which was previously part of neighbouring St Leonards School.
But as Fife Council’s north-east planning committee approved the scheme, there were concerns that by classing the flats as for special needs, the developer had escaped having to provide affordable housing.
Councillors were told that special needs housing developments were exempt from the planning requirement that 30% of mainstream residential developments in the St Andrews area are affordable housing.
Councillor Elizabeth Riches said: “I am concerned that this is seen as a loophole for not having to provide affordable housing.
“Can we re-examine this policy so we are not in the position we are in today, feeling that this is the second time that things have been slipped through?”
Calling for the developer to be forced to make 30% of the flats affordable, St Andrews Community Council had criticised the classification of the properties as special needs.
Planning committee convener Howard Greenwell told the council: “Restricting the sale of these properties to over-55s (as originally proposed) does not meet any particular special needs.
“Indeed, such a restriction denies the residents of St Andrews from any affordable homes which Fife Council will admit are severely lacking in the burgh.”
Approval of the flats has also reduced the number of affordable homes required in the wider site, where more than 200 houses and flats are being built.
Planning permission had already been granted for three houses and 45 flats for sale or rent in the walled garden. The flats will be contained in two blocks of three and four storeys.
Owners, who will purchase 75% of the equity, will have access to care through a community alarm system. The approval was welcomed by Robertson Homes, which owns Knightbridge.
It estimated that 30 to 40 jobs would be created on site and more than 100 sustained in the immediate supply chain. Larger houses would also be freed up by older people looking to downsize into the new apartments, they claimed.
Robertson Homes managing director John Murphy said: “This new development will create much needed homes with the properties designed to be easily adaptable to help older people stay independent for as long as possible.
“We have placed great importance on creating properties which blend into the historic character of the town and are confident that when people see the plans they will support our vision to regenerate the St Leonards area.
“There is an acknowledged lack of suitable housing stock for older people those who are often best placed to downsize to properties which better meet their needs.”
Elsewhere at St Leonards field, 14 flats have been created in a conversion of listed St Nicholas House.
Construction of 28 flats in the house’s garden ground was denied planning consent and, as a result, creation of affordable flats has been placed on hold as they require parking space in the garden ground.
A development of McCarthy and Stone sheltered housing is nearing completion.
Conversion of another listed building, Abbey Park, into a hotel has planning permission and the property is being marketed.
There are also plans by the owner of vacant St Andrew Memorial Hospital to create privately-run student halls. Restoration of the orchard is under way.