Plans for the biggest affordable housing development seen in St Andrews have taken a significant step forward.
Kingdom Housing Association (KHA) has secured funding from the Scottish Government for nine flats in Greenside Place, part of the proposed Abbey Park development by Knightsbridge Homes.
KHA has been working with the Knightsbridge team to provide affordable housing as part of the project and the funding will enable the association to start on the first phase.
However, money for the social rented flats is subject to work starting on the Abbey Park development no later than the end of March.
KHA chairman Douglas Gray said: ”We are delighted that we have now received Scottish Government funding to provide the first phase of affordable housing units in this development, should it be given planning consent.
”We have been working closely with Knightsbridge on progressing the plans for the Abbey Park development.
”There is significant need for affordable housing in St Andrews and it will be great to provide low-cost housing in such a location.”
Knightsbridge Homes’ regional director John Murphy said: ”We are pleased to see that Kingdom Housing Association has received funding for the social housing element of this development, which was important for the success of our project as a whole.
”We look forward to progressing with the strategic development framework consultation that is currently ongoing for the Abbey Park development.
”We are committed to doing everything within our power to assist our partners at Kingdom Housing Association to commence works on site by their March deadline in order to ensure that the affordable apartments are delivered.”
Knightsbridge has also seen plans for St Nicholas House approved by the north-east Fife area committee. St Nicholas House is a listing building and Knightsbridge had submitted a planning application for its renovation and conversion into living accommodation.
Historic Scotland is satisfied with the proposals for the building’s restoration and the reinstatement of the former gateway.
Mr Murphy added: ”We are pleased planning consent has been given for our proposal for St Nicholas House and we would like to thank Fife Council for helping us take action and prevent this historic building from falling into disrepair.”