Hopes for new affordable housing have emerged as the future of Madras College’s Kilrymont campus was debated by councillors.
The 1960s listed buildings in Kilrymont Road, St Andrews, have been put on the market ahead of pupils moving into their new school at Langlands next year.
Fife Council has produced a document to guide developers which recommends the site could be used for housing, a care home and student accommodation.
As they examined it yesterday, several members of the north east Fife area committee highlighted the need for affordable housing and stressed it was important the buildings were not left empty for long as they could be targeted by vandals.
The school’s listing by Historic Environment Scotland, on account of its modernist architecture, means demolition will be resisted and there are concerns that this could deter potential buyers of the 15.5 acre site in Kilrymont Road.
The council’s framework envisages retention of the main buildings with possible removal of the technical classrooms and sports hall.
St Andrews SNP councillor Ann Verner said: “While I appreciate the officers have just produced a document to explain to prospective developers the implications surrounding the development, I truly hope that any future plans include a substantial number of affordable housing, something which is definitely lacking in St Andrews.”
The town’s Labour councillor Brian Thomson said: “My preference for this site would be to see the buildings demolished and the bulk of the site developed for affordable housing. There is a huge need for affordable housing in St Andrews.”
He said the council was “slightly hamstrung” by Historic Environment Scotland’s listed buildings policy and added: “The big concern is that the building will lie empty and potentially be subject to vandalism.”
Liberal Democrat member Jane Ann Liston said: “The new school is going to be finished in April 2021 and the pupils will start moving in in June.
“Then we have the summer holidays and that’s when ne’er-do-wells set fire to schools and we want to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
East Neuk and Landward independent councillor Linda Holt voiced worries that the building could be deliberately left to deteriorate until it reached a condition that meant it had to be knocked down.
Planning lead professional Martin McGroarty said Historic Environment Scotland had a clear policy and explained: “Where a building has been left to deteriorate they will engage with the planning service to see what can be done about it.”
Councillors were told the buildings remained for sale and that there was no proposal yet for redevelopment.
There was acknowledgement that the early sale of the buildings would allow redevelopment as soon as possible.
Committee convener, Lib Dem Donald Lothian, said: “This is a very, very quick start.”
