The chairman of St Andrews Community Council has defended the body’s actions, as the debate over a new secondary school for the town rumbles on.
Kyffin Roberts has called on factions within the town to “show respect for the views of others”, amid the fallout over the proposed choice of Pipeland as a location for the new Madras.
The community council has been criticised in some quarters for failing to properly represent the views of residents; however, Mr Roberts insists that the group does its best with the limited resources at its disposal.
“The community council is made up of 20 individuals who give up their time, week after week, month after month and year after year to attend meetings and organise events for the good of the community.
“The community council tries to take a broad view of the needs and interests of all relevant groups, including those who will not respond to consultations.
“It is always extremely difficult to think through what a major planning application will actually mean in practice.”
The location of a new Madras has proven particularly controversial, with Pipeland now seen as the firm frontrunner, despite some concerns from residents.
Mr Roberts says that he hopes that whatever location is chosen, it is done with the public in mind.
“Everyone agrees that St Andrews needs a new secondary school. I hope that the university, Fife Council, the elected members of parliament and our elected members of Fife Council can show the leadership needed to resolve this situation in a way that is acceptable to the people of St Andrews.
“In the meantime, I would urge everyone to show respect for the views of others.
“We are all striving for a solution that will work for the pupils and the town, at the end of the day, we will all have to live together no matter which site is eventually chosen.”