THE SITE of St Andrews Memorial Hospital could have two four-storey blocks of flats built on it, if plans currently on the drawing board get the go-ahead.
This month, St Andrews Community Council heard a presentation on the hospital's disposal from representatives of NHS Fife and Drivers Jonas LLP, the company taken on by the health authority to market the building.
Jim Leiper from NHS Fife explain
ed there would be public consultation over the plans – and a date has been fixed for next week.
Stephen Cameron of Drivers Jonas said the chosen option for the site, following research last year, was for residential use.
The firm is currently drafting a scheme for outline planning permission for 36 flats with 60 parking spaces with architects.
Under the proposal, the existing hospital building would be removed from the site and replaced by two four-storey blocks of flats, providing a mix of two and three-bedroomed units. Affordable housing, in line with local policy, would be provided on the site, Mr Cameron added.
Community councillors stressed the need for the term 'affordability' to be clearly defined, given given the nature of the demand for housing in St Andrews.
Questioned over the asking price for the site, Mr Leiper said that depended partly upon the district valuer. However, it was hoped there would be a "good return," for the public purse.
Chair Zoe Smith didn't think the Community Council could support the proposal as it stood, given the way in which so-called affordable housing rapidly became unaffordable to those in genuine need.
She emphasised the need for social housing, as opposed to affordable housing, in St Andrews, as she thought what was being proposed would be more akin to the properties built nearby, rather than housing for people needing something they could afford.
Mr Cameron said one of the interested parties, Kingdom Housing, had a record of supplying rented housing. However, Ms Smith said there was no guarantee the site would go to a social housing agency.
Mr Leiper stressed NHS Fife would be following Scottish Government guidelines in marketing the site and that the keenest bid would win.
Meanwhile, NHS Fife will be holding a public information event with Drivers Jonas on Thursday, July 2, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m., in the Supper Rooms, St Andrews Town Hall, 1 Queen's Gardens.
The occasion will give the public an early chance to look at outline proposals for the old hospital site's marketing and sale.
Representatives from NHS Fife and Drivers Jonas will also be on hand to answer questions.
