Scottish Enterprise want to alter the car park/coach park, realign the access road, improve footpaths, upgrade and form boardwalks and create dunes and grassland at the famous West Sands.

It is estimated that the partnership project, which would see the formation of 2100 square metres of new yellow dunes and the permanent loss of an area of 'grey' ones, will cost around £1.5 million.

Fife Council also has an input in the development and members of the policy, finance and asset management committee recently gave the go-ahead for £350,000 towards the work which is due to begin this year. A report to the committee showed that £950,000 in potential external funding had also been identified.

A spokesperson for Scottish Enterprise confirmed that the planning application related to the "West Sands Masterplan project" which aims to "restore and enhance the existing environment at West Sands in St Andrews."

She added: "The planning application outlines proposals to provide high quality visitor facilities and improve and simplify road and pedestrian access. It will also protect and enhance the site's coastal dune landscape.

''The intention is that the improvements will lead to the further development of the area as an outstanding tourism destination."

The Eden Estuary, adjacent to the West Sands, is a designated Special Protection Area, a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

In the view of Scottish Natural Heritage, the proposed project is "not connected with, or necessary," for the conservation or management of the estuary.

The organisation wants an assessment of the proposal's implications on the site to be carried out to try to ensure that it will not adversely affect the sensitive area.

St Andrews Preservation Trust has commended the proposals, particularly the screening.

However, the Trust added: "We have considerable doubts about the possible intrusion of a gateway feature into the enhanced natural environment which will be created...any artificial erection in this location would be against the spirit of these improvements."

Rather than spend money on that, the Trust suggested that any available funds be put towards reconstructing the bridge at Petheram to allow better pedestrian access to the Links and West Sands.

"We are hopeful that the height of the earth mounding at the southern tip beside the Swilcan Burn be of maximum height available, as this is the critical location for screening the car park from the area behind the 18th green,'' suggested David Middleton, the Trust's planning convener.
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''Also, that every effort should be made to screen the considerable area of coach parking."

St Andrews Links Trust has also lodged plans with the council for an environmental impact assessment for coastal protection works at West Sands Road, "including sand recharge and dune replanting."