The Golf War   more

Trevor Royle, Sunday Herald, 11 July 1999

Looking back at St Andrews from the coast road which necklaces Fife's East Neuk coastline, time seems to have left the ancient university town unscathed. Spires dream, the ribs of the cathedral still stand guardian (its cause long lost) and the old grey sandstone shimmers in the evening sun. Beneath a big summer sky (only a dullard would call it blue) the place seems unchanged, unchanging, unchangeable.

Officials 'gagged' over golf complex   more

Councillor wants inquiry into claims of pressure

James Rougvie, The Scotsman, 10 July 1999

A Councillor at the heart of the battle to stop a controversial golf development on the outskirts of St Andrews has claimed officials at Fife Council were pressurised to stay silent about the way the application was processed.

Kingask dispute escalates with claims of pressure on officials   more

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 10 July 1999

The bitter row raging over Fife Council’s decision to approve a £50 million golf and hotel development at Kingask, near St Andrews, entered a new phase last night with claims that pressure was applied to officials over how reports on the application should be written.

We stuck to planning rules on Kingask - chairman   more

The Courier, 10 July 1999

A Fife councillor has reacted angrily to suggestions that the authority failed to follow proper planning procedures in its consideration of major golf and leisure related applications for St Andrews.

Go-ahead for golf hotel plan   more

James Rougvie, The Scotsman, 8 July 1999

Fears have been expressed that St Andrews could soon be under siege from developers after approval was given for a controversial £50 million golf, conference and hotel complex on the outskirts of the town.

'Theme park' sparks mixed reactions   more

Gavin Bell, The Scotsman, 8 July 1999

The only birdies to be seen at Kingask Farm on the outskirts of St Andrews yesterday were the feathered kind - larks, starlings and chaffinches chattering above a sweep of green and golden arable land sloping gently to the sea.

Douce town that failed to fight off the modernisers   more

James Rougvie, The Scotsman, 8 July 1999

It was the champagne reception hosted by Fife Council’s convener, John MacDougall, for the St Andrews Bay Development Co which alerted and alarmed douce St Andreans of a mega-development on their doorstep.

£50m golf scheme gets the go-ahead   more

Gordon Berry and Peter Wright, The Courier, 8 July 1999

Plans for the highly controversial £50 million goIf, leisure and hotel development at Kingask, near St Andrews, were yesterday given the go-ahead by members of Fife Council.

Fury at ‘rape’ of St Andrews   more

The Courier, 8 July 1999

Reaction to yesterday’s decision to approve the Kingask application was swift, with representatives of the wide range of conservation bodies and local organisations expressing disappointment.

Appeal to Dewar as concern over Kingask deepens   more

The Courier, 7 July 1999

A firm of independent consultants appointed by Fife Council to look at the landscape implications of major development around St Andrews has claimed there should be changes to the £50 million golf and leisure proposals for Kingask.

New heritage chairman joins attack on Kingask   more

The Courier, 5 July 1999

The recently appointed chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage has backed the stance taken by his organisation against proposals for a £50 million golf and leisure development at Kingask, near St Andrews.

Traffic agreement worse than useless - claim   more

The Courier, 3 July 1999

A draft agreement prepared by Fife Council’s planning department aimed at regulating traffic from the proposed £150 million golf related development at Kingask, on the outskirts of St Andrews, was yesterday branded as “worse than useless.”

Traffic concerns as golfing plans prepare for go-ahead   more

The Courier, 3 July 1999

A Fife councillor has raised questions over the St Andrews traffic impact study which is being relied on by Fife Council officials as one of the reasons for backing plans for a major golf and leisure development at Kingask.

Close call on Kingask plan   more

The Citizen, 2 July 1999

After more than two years of debate and dissention, the waiting is almost at an end for the highly-controversial Scooniehill and Kingask golf-related developments.

MSP makes new plea over golf plans   more

The Courier, 1 July 1999

North-East Fife MSP lain Smith has made a fresh call to the Scottish Office for the ‘calling in’ of major golf and leisure planning applications relating to St Andrews.

Thumbs down for leisure developments   more

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 30 June 1999

Two major applications for golf and leisure-related developments at St Andrews were given the thumbs down yesterday by north-east Fife councillors.

Golf development debate moves into final stages   more

The Courier, 29 June 1999

Weeks of often bitter debate over whether or not the world-famous Home of Golf should become the focus of multi-million hotel and leisure developments will enter its closing stages today.

Golf application report heavily criticised   more

The Courier, 26 June 1999

The conclusions of a report by two top Fife planning officials on the major go and leisure applications facing St Andrews have been criticised by a leading councillor and by local conservationists.

Kingask plan claims dismissed   more

The Courier, 25 June 1999

Some of the claims made by opponents of the proposed £50 million golf related development at Kingask, on the outskirts of St Andrews, were dismissed out of hand yesterday.

Golf plan hearings end in a 'farce'   more

The Citizen, 25 June 1999

The pros and cons of the contentious golf-related developments at Scooniehill, Kingask and Feddinch were debated in St Andrews last week when Fife Council’s Strategic Development Committee held a marathon six-hour public meeting in the Town Hall.

Hotel plans recommended for approval   more

Michael Alexander, The Courier, 25 June 1999

Plans for a multi-million pound hotel and golf complex at Kingask, on the outskirts of St Andrews, are being recommended for approval by Fife Council’s head of planning Mr David Rae.

Planning chief defends golf developments hearing   more

The Courier, 24 June 1999

The head of Fife Council’s planning service, David Rae, has reassured St Andrews councillor Frances Melville that last Thursday’s golf development plan hearing was conducted “fairly and properly.”

Councillors unite to question hearings on golf centres   more

The Courier, 23 June 1999

The councillors who represent all four St Andrews wards on Fife Council yesterday presented a united front to question developments in the row over planned major golf and leisure developments in the area.

Trust repeats its objections to Kingask plan   more

The Courier, 22 June 1999

The Scottish Civic Trust has repeated its strong objection to plans for a £50 million golf, hotel and leisure development being proposed for a site at Kingask, near St Andrews.

Objectors buoyed by Historic Scotland letter   more

Michael Alexander, The Courier, 22 June 1999

The chairman of St Andrews Community Council has made a fresh appeal for the Scottish Office to “call-in” the multi-million pound golf and leisure developments proposed for Kingask, Feddinch and Scooniehill.

Confusion over golf proposals   more

Michael Alexander, The Courier, 18 June 1999

A special Fife Council hearing convened to consider the three proposed multi-million golf developments for St Andrews ended in confusion last night when one of the applicants claimed that his planning application contained within the council papers was not an updated version he had recently submitted to officials.

Golf-related developments row still rumbling   more

Golfing plan campaign tactics come under fire

Craig Nisbet, The Citizen, 18 June 1999

As plans for golf course developments around St Andrews moved into another formal stage of planning procedure yesterday, the local community council and other opponents fired off their latest salvo at the developers and Fife Council.

Anger over the timing of departure hearings   more

The Courier, 17 June 1999

The row over Fife Council officials organising a crucial departure hearings meeting in St Andrews - at which three controversial golf-related planning applications will be discussed - for today rumbles on.

St Andrews planning row grows   more

The Courier, 16 June 1999

On the eve of crucial talks focusing on three multi-million pound golf-related developments around St Andrews, the consortiums behind the controversial projects have come under attack.

Development hearing defended by chairman   more

The Courier, 16 June 1999

The chairman of Fife Council’s strategic development committee has defended the holding of one departure hearing in St Andrews tomorrow afternoon which will allow objectors to comment on the proposed multi-million pound golf developments for the town.

Scottish Secretary is urged to get involved   more

The Courier, 16 June 1999

North-East Fife Liberal Democrat MP Menzies Campbell and his Scottish Parliament contemporary lain Smith have given their backing to St Andrews Community Council, residents and local councillors who want Scottish Secretary John Reid to call in the planning applications for golf developments around the town.

Another salvo fired off in golf plans row   more

Michael Alexander, The Courier, 15 June 1999

With just days to go until special hearings are held to consider multi-million pound golf and leisure developments for St Andrews, the town’s four councillors have united to fire another salvo at Fife Council over the timetable and “procedural folly” of the meetings.

New move against golf plans   more

The Courier, 9 June 1999

The crisis facing St Andrews from three planned golf-related developments on the outskirts of the town has led to an appeal to the Scottish Secretary to use his powers to call in the multi-million-pound proposals. At a crucial meeting of St Andrews Community Council members voted by a large majority - 11-2 with several abstentions - to have the controversial plans considered at a public inquiry. During the discussions there were claims that the proposals for Kingask, Scooniehill and Feddinch would result in devastating problems for the town.

New moves to 'call in' key golf projects   more

The Courier, 7 June 1999

The Community Council in St Andrews is to be asked to follow the example of the local preservation trust and ask the Scottish Office to “call in” three major golf and leisure developments.

Dewar told to 'call-in' St Andrews golf plans   more

James Rougvie, The Scotsman, 2 June 1999

Donald Dewar could be asked to call in three contentious golf schemes around St Andrews in an attempt by the community council to halt the projects.

Councillor attacks speed of planning applications   more

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 2 June 1999

A Leading North-East Fife councillor has accused Fife Council of acting with “indecent haste” in deciding on the three major planning applications for golf and leisure developments currently looming over St Andrews.

'Grave concern' over proposals   more

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 1 June 1999

St Andrews Community Council is “gravely concerned” over huge commercial developments associated with plans for new golf courses around the town.

Golf plan departure hearings set for June   more

The Citizen, 7 May 1999

Special local departure hearings, organised by Fife Council to consider the three multi-million pound golf-related developments for land to the south and east of St Andrews, could be held in June.

Planners promise consultation over golf projects   more

The Courier, 6 May 1999

Fife Council planning chiefs have made it clear that the views of the people of St Andrews will be heeded over controversial plans for golf-related developments at Kingask, Scooniehill and Feddinch.

Golf scheme developers call for inquiry   more

The Courier, 4 May 1999

Developers behind the controversial £50 million golf, hotel and leisure project at Kingask, near St Andrews, have asked the Scottish Office to hold a public inquiry before the matter is finally decided.

Fife councillor attacks golf decisions policy   more

Peter Wright, The Courier, 23 April 1999

Local councillor Frances Melville yesterday sought clarity on the issues facing the proposed golf-related developments in the St Andrews area, telling yesterday’s meeting of Fife Council, “I feel very strongly that this is a sad day for decentralisation.”

MP questions St Andrews 'call-ins'   more

The Citizen, 23 April 1999

North East Fife Liberal Democrat MP, Menzies Campbell, has questioned the wisdom of the action taken by Fife Council in “calling in” the planning applications at Kingask, Scooniehill, and Feddinch for determination by the Strategic Development Committee in Glenrothes.

Fresh concerns over golf plans   more

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 16 April 1999

Substantial hotel and leisure developments around St Andrews could pre-empt both the structural plan review and proposals for the setting up of a designated green belt.

Kingask plans draw new attack   more

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 12 April 1999

A national conservation body has lodged further strong objections to the scale and nature of plans for a £50 million development at Kingask, near St Andrews, reinforcing its earlier claim that there could be creation of a new settlement in the countryside.

Fears of 'strangulation' due to traffic pressure   more

Gordon Berry, The Courier, 7 April 1999

Major traffic problems encountered in St Andrews during the first busy weekend of the visitor season has emphasised the “strangulation” which could come with major new golf and leisure development.

Under Siege   more

Editorial, The Courier, 5 April 1999

St Andrews is a town facing the prospect of three multi-million pound golf-based developments. If all are eventually approved - and that is not a certainty by any means - the influx of seasonal visitors will be driven remorselessly higher.

Locals urged to voice golf plan views   more

The Courier, 2 April 1999

In the wake of the latest hotel, conference and golf course development to be proposed for the outskirts of St Andrews, at Feddinch - which is rumoured to be a £300 million package - Tory prospective MSP candidate or North-East Fife Ted Brocklebank has urged local people to make their voices heard.

Trust 'deeply concerned' over renewed golf plans   more

The Courier, 2 April 1999

Developers behind the £50 million Kingask hotel, conference, golf and leisure complex have made “no effort” to address the very real fears of local residents and national bodies.

Accusation after calling-in of plans   more

The Courier, 2 April 1999

A national conservation body has accused Fife Council of wishing to have major planning applications for the area around St Andrews decided in a forum where a built-in majority will “toe the line.”

Anger over St Andrews golf plan moves   more

The Courier, 30 March 1999

Councillors yesterday narrowly decided to approve a recommendation that major golf and leisure developments planned for the St Andrews area should be decided by a central Fife Council committee.

Community council's anger at Kingask move   more

The Courier, 26 March 1999

Possible moves by Fife Council to “call in” the major Kingask planning application for consideration at a central committee meeting have been described as “a barefaced attempt” to see the decision of north-east Fife councillors reversed.

Leisure decisions may be taken out of local hands   more

The Courier, 25 March 1999

Debate over the future of golf course and leisure development in and around St Andrews has taken a new turn with a move which could see current and future applications taken out of the hands of local councillors.

New Kingask proposals come under fire   more

The Courier, 24 March 1999

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland has described the latest plans from the company behind the proposed £50 million complex at Kingask, near St Andrews, as tantamount to “rearranging the deckchairs as the Titanic sinks.”

Developers hit back over heritage society claims   more

The Courier, 18 March 1999

The developers behind plans for a £50 million complex at Kingask, near St Andrews, have totally rejected suggestions that they are now ‘bordering on desperation.”

Objections raised as hotel group renews campaign   more

The Courier, 17 March 1999

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland has renewed Its strong objections to the hotel, golf and leisure complex planned or a rural site at Kingask, near St Andrews.

Call to 'let dust settle in the wake of Kingask'   more

The Courier, 2 March 1999

Fife's head of planning, Mr David Rae, has said it would be sensible to “let the dust settle” instead of holding an immediate round-table meeting in the wake of the refusal of planning consent for the proposed £50 million hotel, conference, golf and leisure facility at Kingask, near St Andrews.

Lib Dem chief replies to 'dishonour' claim   more

The Courier, 2 March 1999

Fife Council Liberal Democrats leader lain Smith has responded angrily to claims that he “acted dishonourably” when calling for an apology from Labour transportation spokesperson Helen Eadie over her remarks on the Kingask planning decision.

Claim of 'dishonourable conduct'   more

The Courier, 1 March 1999

The chairman of the north-east Fife constituency Labour Party, Brian Poole, has accused Fife Council Liberal Democrat leader Iain Smith of “acting dishonourably” in his quest for an apology from Fife Council transportation spokeswoman Helen Eadie.

Kingask developers to lodge an appeal   more

The Courier, 27 February 1999

Debate over the £50 million hotel, conference, golf and leisure development proposed for a site at Kingask, near St Andrews, entered a new phase yesterday as the applicants announced their intention to lodge an appeal with the Secretary of State for Scotland.

SNP defend debate on Kingask   more

The Citizen, 26 February 1999

The SNP prospective MSP for North East Fife, Colin Welsh, has spoken out against recent criticisms made by Labour Councillors that the Kingask decision had been made before the Development Committee met.

New salvo fired in Kingask war of words   more

The Courier, 23 February 1999

Another salvo has been fired in the row over the rejected £50 million hotel and golf development at Kingask - this time by independent North East Fife Scottish parliament candidate Donald Macgregor.

Councillor defends Kingask debate remarks   more

The Courier, 22 February 1999

A North East Fife councillor has responded to calls made for him to publicly apologise to two officials whose reports played a central role in debate over the recently-rejected £50 million golf hotel facility at Kingask, near St Andrews.

MP astonished by councillor's letter   more

The Courier, 20 February 1999

The Controversy over comments made by a leading member of the administration of Fife Council over the vote which led to rejection of the £50 million hotel, conference and golf proposal for Kingask intensified yesterday.

Convener attacked over Kingask plans   more

Craig Nisbet, The Citizen, 19 February 1999

In the wake of plans for the £50 million Kingask hotel and conference centre being rejected, East Area Planning Convener, Councillor Peter Douglas, has this week been the target of resignation calls and demands for apologies to council officials.

Councillor criticises 'ill advised' resign call   more

The Courier, 18 February 1999

A suggestion that a member of the Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board should resign due to his involvement in the body responsible for rejecting the £50 million St Andrews hotel package at Kingask, has been criticised by a leading Fife councillor.

Hotel refusal sparks council attack   more

The Courier, 18 February 1999

A leading member of the administration of Fife Council was bitterly criticised last night over remarks - described by an Independent councillor as “almost criminal” - she has made in the wake of last week’s refusal of the controversial £50 million Kingask hotel and conference development.

Resignation call after Kingask rejection   more

The Courier, 16 February 1999

Yesterday's meeting of the Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board in Glenrothes opened in controversial fashion by a suggestion that a member should resign due to his involvement in the body responsible for rejecting the £50 million St Andrews hotel package.

Kingask: mixed reaction to refusal   more

The Citizen, 12 February 1999

Views from St Andrews Community Council, St Andrews Preservation Trust, Ted Brocklebank, prospective Conservative MSP for NE Fife, the SNP in NE Fife - and local opinion

Plan's rejection a 'historic decision'   more

The Courier, 11 February 1999

The rejection of £50 million plans for a new hotel, conference, leisure and golf development at Kingask, near St Andrews, was described yesterday as a “historic decision” for the town.

Disappointment at Kingask development decision   more

The Courier, 10 February 1999

In the wake of yesterday’s refusal of the £50 million proposals for a new hotel, conference and leisure facility at Kingask, there was a reaction of bitter disappointment from the developers.

Fife rejects controversial £50m hotel package   more

The Courier, 10 February 1999

Highly controversial plans for a £50 million hotel, conference and leisure facility just outside St Andrews were yesterday rejected by North East Fife councillors.

Cut from a subtle cloth   more

Jim Crumley, The Courier, 9 February 1999

Government Health Warning: What follows, if you happen to be involved in developing Kingask near St Andrews, or if you happen to be one of the members of Fife Council’s area development committee meeting today to pronounce on the fate of Kingask, could put you off your breakfast. I hope.

Objections to £50m plan overlooked in report   more

The Courier, 9 February 1999

Details of a major objection to the proposed £50 million hotel, conference and leisure complex at Kingask near St Andrews have not been put before councillors considering the application.

Chairman attacks reports for £50 million hotel   more

The Courier, 8 February 1999

The chairman of St Andrews Preservation Trust has launched a strong attack on the reports and recommendations prepared by Fife Council planning officials on the controversial £50 million Kingask hotel, conference, golf and leisure scheme.

Objectors threaten legal action over £50m hotel plans   more

The Courier, 6 February 1999

Debate over the £50 million hotel, conference and golf plans for Kingask, near St Andrews, raged on yesterday as councillors prepare to make the final decision over the project.

No scaling down by Kingask developers   more

The Courier, 5 February 1999

Developers behind controversial plans for a £50 million hotel, conference, golf and leisure facility at Kingask, near St Andrews, have rejected suggestions that the complex should be scaled down and based on an existing farm steading.

Developers submit 'unique' traffic proposal   more

The Citizen, 5 February 1999

A “unique and innovative” proposal has been put forward by the developers behind the Kingask project in answer to concerns over the traffic effects of the development on St Andrews.

Wave of support for Kingask plan   more

Craig Nisbet, The Citizen, 5 February 1999

Unprecedented support for the £50 million golf course and hotel development at Kingask has been pouring into council offices in the last days leading up to official consideration of the project.

Golf developer must face wary councillors   more

James Rougvie, The Scotsman, 2 February 1999

The future of a controversial £50 million golfing complex planned for St Andrew will be decided by local councillors who have already accused the developer of trying to circumvent planning procedures.

East area members are to decide on £50m proposals   more

The Courier, 2 February 1999

Fife Council strategic development committee yesterday confirmed its decentralisation policy - one of the main platforms of the Labour administration’s manifesto - by remitting the decision-making process on £50 million development proposals to its east area members.

Kingask meeting 'test of policy'   more

The Courier, 1 February 1999

Councillors will meet in Glenrothes today to take part In a discussion which has been described as a test for Fife Council’s policy on decentralisation.

Row over £50m St Andrews golf plan   more

James Rougvie, The Scotsman, 30 January 1999

A controversial £50 million leisure development outside the home of golf was last night at the centre of a furious dispute over planning procedures.

Scathing attack on moves by complex developer   more

The Courier, 30 January 1999

The row over an appeal by the developers of a £50 million leisure complex on the outskirts of St Andrews to have it considered by the centrally-based Fife Council Strategic Development Committee continued unabated yesterday.

All parties attack attempts to change planning procedures   more

The Courier, 28 January 1999

The developers behind controversial £50 million plans for a hotel, conference, golf and leisure complex in the countryside near St Andrews appear to have rejected proposals that they should take the scheme back to the drawing board.

Councillor speaks out on Kingask plan   more

The Courier, 25 January 1999

Yesterday North-East Fife Liberal Democrat councillor Andrew Arbuckle entered the debate which has been raging over plans for a £50 million golf, hotel, conference and leisure development at Kingask.

Leisure complex plan continued but sent back to drawing board   more

The Courier, 20 January 1999

Developers behind a £50 million golf, hotel, conference and leisure facility near St Andrews were yesterday sent back to the drawing board.

Developers express 'great concern' over decision   more

The Courier, 20 January 1999

After the meeting the developers said that there was great concern over the decision and they hoped that the hotel would be open in time for the millennium Open at St Andrews in July 2000.

Legal probe into firm's approach to councillors   more

The Courier, 18 January 1999

Legal officials of Fife Council are to be asked to investigate an approach made to members of Fife Council’s east area development committee in advance of tomorrow’s crucial discussion on the multi-million pound development at Kingask, near St Andrews.

Big guns back St Andrews £50m golf and leisure project   more

The Courier, 15 January 1999

Proposals for a £50 million hotel, conference and golf course development near St Andrews were boosted yesterday by several big guns pledging their support. Fife Enterprise, tourist board and chamber of commerce all publicly backed the clifftop project at Kingask overlooking St Andrews Bay two miles south-east of the town.

Rural group questions golf complex firm's jobs claims   more

The Courier, 24 December 1998

Plans for a major golf and hotel development at Kingask, near St Andrews, were criticised again yesterday-this time by the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland.

Calls for an environmental assessment on Kingask   more

The Citizen, 27 November 1998

Members of the public have called for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out before any decision is taken on a new multi-million hotel and golf development at Kingask, south of St Andrews.

Clifftop proposals a 'planning disaster'   more

The Courier, 18 November 1998

Proposals by an American business man for a £50 million hotel and golf development on a clifftop site overlooking St Andrews Bay have been branded “an unmitigated planning disaster,” which are not wanted.

Heritage Society object to Kingask golf proposals   more

The Citizen, 30 October 1998

The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland have submitted a formal objection to plans to build two golf courses and a hotel at Kingask, which they have described as being of “monstrous” proportions.