Inside scoop on controversial plans for new multi-million pound golf resort in St Andrews

Published on: 19/09/2024

Inside scoop on controversial plans for new multi-million pound golf resort in St Andrews

Plans for a new multimillion-pound golf resort in St Andrews are proving controversial.

Developers hope to turn the land – which was bought for £7million last year – into a new golf complex, featuring an 18-hole course, clubhouse and a hotel.

A new golf resort is proposed at FedinchCredit: FIFE Planning Portal

It has a great clubhouseCredit: FIFE Planning Portal

The land was bought for £7 millionCredit: FIFE Planning Portal

St Andrews is, of course, the home of golf and the town has no shortage of fantastic golf venues.

The historic Old Course is one of seven courses at St Andrews Links, while there are also several other top-class golf venues around the Fife city, such as the Fairmont St Andrews.

But plans to add the latest addition to the golf collection aren’t going down well with residents.

US firm Alvarez & Marsal Golf bought land at Fedinch for £7 million last year.

It was bought from Dundee United supremo Mark Ogren.

Last month, they submitted their planning application for the 100-hectare piece of land.

As reported, the plan proposes to build a new 18-hole golf course, a new clubhouse and a luxury hotel.

But they also want to build a gatehouse, a driving range equipped with floodlights, a spa, six homes and a multi-purpose event venue.

The owners of the site in Fedinch, which faces St Andrews Bay, will offer “the essence of quality with a luxury ambiance”.

And they insist their project “will deliver significant benefits to St Andrews and the surrounding areas through increased investment and job creation.”

Rory McIlroy plays left-handed, using his putter backwards before snapping the club on an eventful morning at the PGA Championship

This is not the first time the Fedinch land has been proposed for a new golf project.

Plans to build a golf course there have been on and off for the past 25 years.

In 2017, an investment group considered building a “St Andrews International Golf Club”, but their plans expire in January 2020.

Soon after, the site was purchased by another firm, which launched an application that included an 18-hole course designed by former Open champion Tom Weiskopf, as well as a spa, a restaurant and luxury accommodation.

However, these plans almost fell through in 2021 because of a dispute over pay.

And it looks like Álvarez and Marsal’s plans have hit the first hurdle, as they are the ones who are supposed to deliver the project to the site.

The gesture that Rahm hopes to be able to compete in the Riders

This anger has manifested in the form of anger among local residents.

However, the plan has been criticised by local residents.

St Andrews is the prestigious home of golfCredit: Getty

Lydia Ko won the Women's Open at St Andrews last year — Lydia Ko won the Women’s Open at St Andrews last yearCredit: Getty

A number of objections have been raised by concerned local people regarding the proposals.

Several residents have also expressed their concerns. messengerHe expressed concern that the project would bring “no benefit” to the local area.

One local said: “This is not a hotel or golf club that is accessible to the Scottish public. It is a private members-only club on a gated site.”

“Residents are in favour of the golf course – but they want it to be built in a sympathetic way,” he said.

Concerns were also raised regarding the use of green belt land, with one local person stating that green belt land could only be used for sporting purposes if it encouraged participation and increased access to green spaces.