North American developer gets green light for new golf course in St Andrews

North East Fife planning committee councillors have approved four separate proposals from Alvarez & Marsal Golf to turn the site into a new 18-hole golf course, a short ‘par-3’ course, practice range, club house, golfer's hotel, restaurant, cottage facilities, a greenkeepers service yard, a half-way house with food and drinks, and more.

For more than two decades, various developers have attempted to develop the land, but none have ever been fully implemented.

Following a multi-million pound sale earlier this year, Alvarez & Marsal Golf brought forward a new “site-wide-masterplan” for the whole site in September. The global professional services company submitted three separate planning applications as part of their masterplan – all of which were approved by councillors.

Its plans include a “staggering” 250 metre long clubhouse, hotel, and spa into the Feddinch Mains hillside alongside of a golf course which is already under development. It was also given permission to build six detached guest cottages on the site.

A separate planning and listed building consent application to turn the B-listed farmhouse on the site into usable mixed use events space with new doors, windows, lights, cladding and canopy features.

According to developers, Feddinch Mains has “remained derelict” for more than two decades despite a long history of plans and proposals for the site. Although incomplete, substantial works have already gone into turning the site into a golf course development.

“We are delighted that the committee has approved our application for a new golf course," Tyler J. Kirsch, managing director at Alvarez & Marsal Golf, said. “Following extensive consultation with Fife Council, the local community and other key stakeholders, this approval is a major milestone in regenerating a site that has remained undeveloped for 20 years."

He added: "We are confident that our project will bring lasting benefits to the local community, and we remain committed to ongoing engagement as it progresses."

Councillor David MacDiarmid (SNP for Howe of Fife and Tay Coast) said the design “looked fantastic” but wondered if it would ever be completed.

“It’s going to cost many many millions of pounds,” he said. “Will this be done in one or in dribs and drabs where some of it may never be done?”

He recalled hearing about the plans for Feddinch Mains back in 2008, but he said very little has been done since then.

“You kind of lose faith when things like that happen,” he said. “We can give this the go ahead today and in 20 years it still might not be done.”

However, planning officers said Alvarez and Marsal Golf are “extremely enthusiastic" and are actively “working on the golf course as we speak”.

Officers also praised the developer for taking the time to consider its clubhouse and development design based on community concerns.

“They’ve adjusted the design to come to a point where locals will be much happier with the proposals,” planners explained. “That speaks volumes.”

Based on community feedback, the developer has muted the colour palette to blend in with the landscape and reduced the massing and roof heights in the main clubhouse, hotel and spa building.

“It’s quite important that the developer has listened to and considered the comments received by third parties and consultees who raised concerns about how the club would appear,” officers said.