Fife Council has submitted its intention to develop a new Madras College in St Andrews.
Known as a proposal of application notice, it is the first stage in the planning process. The earliest date the council can submit a planning application is June 27.
The controversial plan to create a new school at Pipeland to replace the existing Madras was the subject of a public consultation which ended on March 9. The current school is run over two sites and is in a somewhat dilapidated condition.
While some, including many parents, support the council’s proposal, others have concerns about building on St Andrews’ green belt which they believe is prime agricultural land and should be protected.
Earlier this month, the town’s community council called for further investigations into a site owned by St Andrews University at North Haugh, known as the pond site.
Fife Council has repeatedly ruled out this site on the grounds of cost.
The application notice is for the building of a secondary school with associated facilities including access, car parking, a bus stance and playing fields.
Plans for a new Madras have been on the drawing board for eight years and education officials recently expressed frustration at the length of time it was taking to reach agreement on a site.
If agreed, the new school could be open for business in the academic year 2016/17.