6. Supporting the Core
Joe Headon explains... In page 6 we start to look at the uses within the development area. We have shown the proposed new Madras College on the lower section at the North Haugh, which is coloured pink. The area coloured blue shows where we consider the predominantly University and business land would be sited. While this would be predominantly University and business use, there would be both private and student residential, with a local retail centre which would incorporate some other commercial uses. This centre/hub -which we call the new Grassmarket - would be a similar size to the Edinburgh Grassmarket. It will not have the some height or mass of buildings, but wide streets that can accommodate both the car and pedestrians, and still allow for ample public space. This area would provide the main focus for life in this area. A high quality local supermarket café bar/restaurant sandwich shop or other similar businesses would be located within this area. This centre adjacent to the new school, sports centre, halls of residences within the North Haugh (new halls) or the existing residences on David Russell Hall and the new residences being constructed, the proposed new business and residential land should ensure that this centre will quickly become a vibrant new street within St Andrews. This new street will be within a 10 minute walk of Hepburn and Buchanan Gardens and the other street within that general area and will serve this area very well. < Back
In order to give a sense of scale we have lifted parts of the town and placed them within the new area to give some context. While the buildings will not be the same scale and style it shows, in broad terms, the size of the blocks we have laid out. Within the “New Grassmarket area” a hotel could be sited along with some community facilities. We would retain some of the existing hedgerows and create new hedgerows and green corridors. Adjacent to Northbank, we envisage an area which we call Northbank Circus. This area would be mainly residential but may have a small local shop. It would create a sense of arrival as you enter St Andrews. On the western boundary, a strong planted area would be created. This area would include woodland walks, allotments, sports facilities, orchards and would provide a strong defensible boundary, which would define a robust greenbelt boundary. Other green spaces within the development will serve the various neighbourhoods, and a network of attractive walks should ensure the development is well connected, both within the development and into the existing town and open space to the both North and West of the development. There would be no through traffic to the new development and the path that takes you to Kinburn Park would be green cycle/walking routes. < Back
The final image on this page shows the site we had considered for the new school. Since we prepared the plan, Fife Council have approved a recommendation to pursue the site referred to as Langlands B. (The area referred to is the area within St Andrews West knows as Langlands and not the area which was formerly the Langlands School, off Kilrymont Rd). This does not cause us any issue but further work is required to ensure that all matters are considered as the master plan progress and a degree of flexibility is required within this general area as to where the school is to be located < Back