That was clear in Cupar last Wednesday, when the finalised St Andrews amd East Fife Local plan was up for discussion at a packed public meeeting of north east Fife area committee.

It's taken six years for the document — which sets out how the area could develop over the next 10 years — to get to the table.

So far, it has cost some £99,000 – a figure expected to increase as it goes through its final stages of examination.

St Andrews councillor Robin Waterston argued strongly that land earmarked for housing should be included in the proposed green belt for the town.

The town's "western expansion" area is due to absorb a total of 1090 houses over the next 20 years through the already-approved Fife Structure Plan.

"The problem is the green belt boundary, as proposed, excludes the rising land between Strathkinness High Road and Low Road and west of Northbank Farm, which is absolutely critical to the landscape setting of St Andrews," he said.

"This ought to be part of the green belt. The entire green area would be covered with houses. I don't think this can be allowed to go forward."

Warning the perception in St Andrews was consultation had been ignored, Cllr Waterston said lower lying land on Craigtoun Road, which would satisfy the housing requirements of the Structure Plan, should be used instead.

His proposal won the backing of fellow St Andrews councillors, Frances Melville and Dorothea Morrison, and the whole committee.

Cllr Melville spoke of her disappointment at the maps which had been drawn up.

"It would be tragic were this wedge (of ground) to be built on. Doing so would bring Strathkinness ever nearer to joining St Andrews and the village does not want to be joined with St Andrews," she told colleagues.

Like East Neuk councillor Mike Scott-Hayward, she stressed the need for a flexible approach to the plan and her concerns that areas such as Grange Road and ground next to the new hospital had been included for development won support from the committee, which moved there be no more development at the new hospital.

Said Cllr Morrison: "We speak as one voice in St Andrews and are very, very disappointed at what has been proposed.

"Two consultants have talked about it and all the policies written have said we must look at the setting of St Andrews and enhance and protect it. We, as local members, felt we had done that."

It had been very difficult "so late in the day" to find out how the maps had been drawn, added Cllr Morrison.

"Really, we want to preserve St Andrews for future generations. There has to be a total re-think of what we have before us today," she urged.

Martin McGroarty, lead officer for local development plans, assured councillors that all their comments would be taken on board and officials would do their best, where they felt it was best for the area, to come to a compromise position.