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St Andrews Rusacks Hotel accused of ‘blatantly ignoring’ planning regulations

Rusacks Hotel.

Owners of St Andrews Rusacks Hotel have been accused of flouting planning regulations as they their unveil their new look.

Fife Council planning enforcement officers are investigating claims the 120-room hotel has opened its new extension without providing car parking.

Rusacks St Andrews overlooks the Old Course.
Rusacks, St Andrews, overlooks the world-famous Old Course.

The issue has prompted a row, with St Andrews residents claiming guests staying at the venue are having to park on the street.

And they fear chaos this weekend when the Dunhill Cup brings thousands of extra visitors to the home of golf.

While Rusacks says the car park is “fully open”, locals insist it is empty apart from a few boxes.

Rusacks St Andrews has a rooftop putting green.
The extension includes a rooftop bar with putting green.

The hotel has just completed its long-awaited extension which includes 44 new rooms and a rooftop bar with outdoor putting green.

However, one of the planning conditions was parking should be fully operational and valet controlled before the hotel reopened.

‘Blatantly ignoring’ planning

St Andrews Labour councillor Brian Thomson accused Rusacks of making a mockery of the planning system.

“The extension opened to guests around two months ago and the condition is absolutely explicit that 31 off-street parking spaces were to be provided before it was brought into use,” he said.

Boxes are piled up in the car park at Rusacks St Andrews.
The car park at Rusacks Hotel stores boxes.

“In addition, arrangements should be in place for parking cars off-site should the hotel car park reach capacity.

“I’ve not seen any evidence that the off-site facility is available for use and operational.”

He added: “Local residents have had to put up with a lot of disruption during the construction of the extension.

The car park at Rusacks St Andrews.

“And now they’re having to deal with hotel guests parking in the surrounding streets.

“Planning conditions are put in place for a reason and they’re not something that can be ignored or only partly complied with.”

Mr Thomson added: “They’re blatantly ignoring planning conditions.

“It’s the Dunhill this weekend. The place will be mobbed and parking is bad enough as it is.”

‘Official agreement’

However, Rusacks says its car park is “fully open and operational”.

A statement said: “Rusacks St Andrews has an official agreement in place with Fife Council regarding its 31-space car park, including a valet parking service for hotel guests at the hotel for the Dunhill tournament.

“This week will be busy due to the tournament, with lots of hotel guests arriving via transport arranged by the event organisers.

“And ongoing there will be plenty of space for hotel guest parking.”

It added: “At one end of of our car park, a small space is being used to temporarily store equipment.

“But this will be removed in the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile, Fife Council service manager Alastair Hamilton confirmed the issue has been reported and is being investigated through planning enforcement.