An organisation that objected to the choice of Pipeland as the site of a proposed new Madras College in St Andrews has expressed concern about the future of the grade A listed Madras building on South Street.
St Andrews Preservation Trust chairman, Graham Wynd, said: “Given Fife Council’s record on neglecting heritage properties, such as the old Bell Baxter school buildings (in Cupar), we fear for the future of the magnificent grade A building on South Street, in the heart of the conservation area, as well as the other two legacy sites: Kilrymont and Station Park.”
But Louise Playford, service manager (school estate), Fife Council said: “No decisions have been taken in regard to the existing Madras sites.
“The proposal for the new school is still going through the planning process and it won’t be until this process is complete that the future of the existing estate will be decided.”
The Courier revealed that the Scottish Government will not “call-in” Fife Council’s decision to grant planning permission in principle for Pipeland.
Mr Wynd said: “In its 76 years of trying to protect the historic environment of St Andrews and its neighbourhood, the St Andrews Preservation Trust can seldom have been faced with a more disappointing decision than this.
“If it is followed through, generations of pupils and other school users will have to put up with a substandard solution.
“Residents and visitors must endure a permanent disfigurement of the southern hillside, which is out of kilter with the tradition and ideals of Madras College.
“All St Andreans, especially neighbours and the Community Hospital, will have to suffer the environmental ill-effects of siting a school on such an unsatisfactory site.
“Members of the Preservation Trust share the wishes of most people in St Andrews and district in wanting to see a new school worthy of the Madras name built as soon as possible.”
Mr Wynd maintained that a university-owned site at North Haugh ruled out by Fife Council is available and is much more suitable.