Controversial plans for a major new golf resort near St Andrews have been approved.
Councillors have the go-ahead to proposals from Alvarez and Marsal Golf after a recommendation of approval from planning officials.
It will see the site turned into an 18-hole golf course, a short par three course, a practice range, a clubhouse and golfers’ hotel, as well as a restaurant, cottage facilities, a greenkeepers service yard and a half-way house with food and drink.
For more than two decades, various developers have attempted to transform the Feddinch Mains site, but plans have been fully implemented.
However, following a multi-million-pound sale earlier this year, Alvarez and Marsal Golf brought forward a new “site-wide-masterplan” in September.
‘Staggering’ 250m clubhouse approved as part of St Andrews golf resort
The global professional services company submitted three planning applications as part of its masterplan, all of which have now been approved by councillors.
These include a “staggering” 250 metre-long clubhouse, hotel, and spa in the Feddinch Mains hillside alongside a golf course which is already under development.
The company was also given permission to build six detached guest cottages.
There was a separate planning and listed building consent application to turn the B-listed farmhouse on the site into a usable mixed-use events space with new doors, windows, lights, cladding and canopy features.
According to developers, Feddinch Mains has “remained derelict” for more than two decades despite a long history of proposals for the site.
Although currently incomplete, substantial works are already ongoing to create the golf course development.
Tyler J Kirsch, managing director of Alvarez and Marsal Golf, said: “We are delighted Fife Council’s North East Planning Committee has approved our application for a new golf course on the outskirts of St Andrews.
“Following extensive consultation with Fife Council, the local community and other key stakeholders, this approval is a major milestone in regenerating a site that has remained undeveloped for 20 years.
“We are confident our project will bring lasting benefits to the local community, and we remain committed to ongoing engagement as it progresses.”
Councillor David MacDiarmid said the design “looked fantastic” but wondered if it would ever be completed.
“It’s going to cost many, many millions of pounds,” he said.
“Will this be done in one or in dribs and drabs where some of it may never be done?”
Feddinch golf resort developers ‘working on new St Andrews course as we speak’
He recalled hearing about plans for Feddinch Mains back in 2008, but he said very little has been done since then.
“You kind of lose faith when things like that happen,” he said.
“We can give this the go-ahead today and in 20 years it still might not be done.”
However, planning officers said Alvarez and Marsal Golf are “extremely enthusiastic” and actively “working on the golf course as we speak”.
Officers praised the developers for taking time to consider their development design based on community concerns.
“They’ve adjusted the design to come to a point where locals will be much happier with the proposals,” planners said.
“That speaks volumes.”
Based on feedback, they have muted the colour palette to blend in with the landscape and reduced the massing and roof heights in the main clubhouse, hotel and spa building.
“It’s quite important the developers have listened to and considered the comments received by third parties and consultees who raised concerns about how the club would appear,” officers stated.
“They looked at the comments and concerns and went to revise the design and made it less visually prominent.”
All four planning applications to develop Feddinch Mains were approved unanimously by the committee.
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