Plans for St Andrews University facility at former Madras College building approved by Fife councillors

Plans for a new University of St Andrews facility at the former Madras College building have been approved.

Members of Fife Council’s North East Planning Committee unanimously agreed the proposals – as well as an application for listed building consent – which will see the disused listed building restored and extended.

The site on South Street will house the university’s School of International Relations and new business school along with a café.

A report from planners said the project aimed to “restore the historic Madras College building and provide state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces” for students and staff.

As well as restoring the listed building, the development will see the creation of a new entrance pavilion located to the west of Madras College, a 250-seat lecture theatre to the west of the site, a glazed enclosure of the existing Madras courtyard and a large extension to the south of the building.

Planner Declan Semple told councillors the application has been specifically designed not to be attractive to cars.

“It prioritises sustainable transport,” he said. “There are 182 cycle spaces which have been incorporated. There are excellent public transport links. 11 car parking spaces have been proposed.”

The planning report confirmed the site lies within St Andrews Conservation Area and an Archaeological Area of Regional Importance, with high potential for “nationally significant” sub-surface remains associated with the Dominican Friary within the scheduled monument area.

It explained: “These may include ancillary structures, medieval occupation deposits, and possible burial remains.

“The assessment notes low potential for remains in the southern part of the site due to extensive disturbance from 19th- and 20th-century development and recent demolition.

“Any groundworks within the scheduled area, including service trenches and landscaping, would require Scheduled Monument Consent and an agreed programme of archaeological mitigation with Historic Environment Scotland and Fife Council.”

Local councillor Jane Ann Liston was pleased to see the plans progress – while hoping history may be unearthed.

“It is the last known location of Cardinal Beaton’s body in 1546. It is possible he is still there,” she said.

“I have hopes they might find him because it would be such a thing for St Andrews – the equivalent of Richard the third being found in a Leicester car park but I suspect the university really doesn’t want this to be found.”

Howe of Fife and Tay Coast councillor David MacDiarmid expressed hope that the Madras College name will still be continued in some form.

He added: “I am really excited about this. I am really glad that this is going to be used for education. It has been a long time in the making.”

Backing the proposals, committee convener Jonny Tepp added: “I would like to wish the university all the best and say we are all very excited to see this come to fruition.

“Thanks to everyone involved on working on this significant project.”