The applicant behind a £20 million golf course and clubhouse near St Andrews has welcomed news it has finally been given the thumbs-up.
St Andrews International Golf Club (SAIGC) says it is “delighted” the Scottish Government has now confirmed the conditional approval of the proposed clubhouse at Feddinch.
The developer had appealed to the Scottish Government over the length of time it was taking for Fife Council to make a decision on the Feddinch Mains project, having originally submitted applications for the 244-acre site in December 2011.
Now, after a notice of intention by the Scottish Government’s directorate for planning and environmental appeals, reporter Douglas Hope has granted conditional planning permission for the clubhouse.
It will incorporate a restaurant, 41 accommodation rooms for 160 people and a shop. It will also involve demolition of farm buildings. The proposed course has been designed by 1973 Open winner Tom Weiskopf.
Mr Hope had given the applicant 10 weeks to produce a planning agreement, which has to comply with 24 planning conditions and a legal agreement.
A spokesman for SAIGC said: “Development of the proposed golf course and clubhouse at Feddinch Mains, St Andrews, has taken a further step forward in the planning process following the October 2012 release of the Scottish Government reporter’s intentions notice.
“The reporter was asked to determine a planning application for the proposed golf clubhouse, for which Fife Council had failed to reach a decision.
“Since October, the required planning agreement has been negotiated by planning agent Colliers International and solicitors Shepherd and Wedderburn, on behalf of the applicant’s St Andrews International Golf Club, along with Fife Council.
“Its completion has resulted in planning permission now being released by the Scottish Government.”
Neil Gray, associate director at Colliers International, said: “This is a significant milestone in the Feddinch project as it will allow the developers of the resort to proceed with construction of the golf course and permitted demolition of the farm buildings during this forthcoming spring.
“Further proposals will follow during 2013 with the developers examining options to provide a high-quality golfing and leisure destination, ready to be open in time for the Open Golf Championships at St Andrews in 2015.”
In his October report, Mr Hope said while the clubhouse would be in a green belt, the main purpose of a green belt is to “maintain the landscape setting”.
He noted none of the statutory consultees had objected, with Cameron Community Council supporting the proposal.
Representations were also received from St Andrews Preservation Trust and St Andrews Community Council but Mr Hope found none of the planning matters raised justified the refusal of planning permission.