Bid to use student accommodation in St Andrews for tourists
A bid has been made to allow student accommodation in St Andrews to be used for tourists during the holidays.
Caledonia Student Limited has asked Fife Council for permission to change a planning condition restricting the use of units at East Sands.
The site currently includes student accommodation buildings and a childrens’ nursery with associated infrastructure and landscaping/public art.
A statement on behalf of the applicant explained that the existing consent granted in 2013 includes a condition that the development is only to be used by people enrolled at the University of St Andrews.
“The applicant seeks the use of all of the student accommodation bedrooms for tourist accommodation out with the academic term time,” it continued.
“As per the 2013 planning permission, the considerable majority of the bedrooms here cannot be used for tourism accommodation purposes.
“This seems an inefficient use of purpose-built accommodation that could otherwise contribute to the variety of accommodation throughout the town.
“This could also reduce some pressure on the need for additional new accommodation or on the use of existing homes a tourism accommodation that could otherwise be used as mainstream family housing.”
The planning statement said that a reconsideration on the use of the existing accommodation was needed.
It added: “A lot has changed since the approval of the original planning application in 2013. A far greater emphasis on sustainable locations/reducing car use and on maximising the use of existing resources has emerged.”
The application will be considered by Fife Council in due course.