Pledge over historic features as landmark St Andrews building set for new era
A historic former St Andrews bookshop is set to be transformed into shops and homes after councillors approved redevelopment plans.
Members of Fife Council’s North East Planning Committee gave the green light to the plans after receiving assurances that the historic features of the former J&G Innes premises will be preserved.
The vacant Category C-listed building sits on the corner of Church Street and South Street and still includes branding for the St Andrews Citizen newspaper.
The plans, submitted by Benedict Laogan, are set to see the upper floors of the former retail premises converted to create five flats, while a historic cottage at the rear would become a separate house.
Retail use will remain at ground-floor level, while a new first and second-floor extension is proposed at the rear of the former Christian Institute building.
Alastair Hamilton, service manager for development management, told councillors the site was a “prominent, well-known building” in the town.
He continued: “The proposals seek to substantively retain the existing building and extend it and retain a retail unit on the ground floor of the former book shop premises and also form a new retail unit on the ground floor of the former Christian Institute building.
“The rear is slightly less attractive and somewhat rundown and that is going to be renovated and restored as part of the proposal.
“Externally from the street, there is very little change. The building and all the external features including the diamond paned windows would be retained.
“The existing timber fascia and prominent glazed lantern detail would also be retained.”
Councillor Jane Ann Liston sought specific assurances over the preservation of historic details above the doorway.
“Are we retaining the information oval above the door that says this was the birthplace of Andrew Bell and also the birthplace of the dollar sign?” she asked.
“The building was a foundry and it is supposed to be where the dollar sign was invented. Are we keeping that information too?”
Mr Hamilton confirmed there was “no intention to remove or alter” that aspect of the building.
Cllr Liston welcomed the assurance: “I am very impressed with this. I think all that is good about this building seems to be being retained.”
Councillor David MacDiarmid was also pleased to see the project progress.
“It is such an important and strategic building in St Andrews and I have been in hundreds of times buying books,” he said. “I can say the planners have nailed this down with regards to not letting the developers go AWOL.”
Committee convener councillor Jonny Tepp added: “We will be delighted to see it brought back into use. Thanks to the developers and the planners.”
Councillors unanimously approved the plans, along with a listed building consent application, with the condition that the historical symbols on the building would be kept.