The University of St Andrews is pressing ahead with plans to provide an extra 700 student beds in town, to help take the pressure off the private rental market.
Working with its partner Campus Living Villages (CLV), the university is re-submitting multi-million pound plans for a new student residence on the site of Albany Park, the 1970s accommodation at East Sands which was demolished in 2020.
A statement from the university suggested that the pandemic, economic downturn and the subsequent hike in the cost of building materials made its original plans for the site unfeasible.
Now, the university and CLV have revised the design to increase the number of student beds the development would provide from 672 to 710.
The proposed development is part of a series of investments designed to provide additional purpose-built accommodation for students over the next few years.
A new Planning Application Notice, which has been submitted to Fife Council, will be followed by public consultation events at the Byre Theatre on 7 June and 28 June, at which representatives of the project design team, the university and CLV will outline the new plans for Albany Park and answer questions.
The university’s chief operating officer, quaestor and factor Derek Watson said: “The development at Albany Park is key to the University’s strategy to provide more accommodation for our students and ease the pressure on housing stock in St Andrews.
“Despite recent volatility in the markets, particularly the construction industry, we have remained committed and optimistic this plan can become a reality.
“If approved, the new Albany Park will provide more than 700 high-quality student beds in an attractive landscaped environment which will improve amenity in the east of the town.
“The development has the potential to revitalise the eastern area of St Andrews and we are looking forward to putting our proposals to the local community and hearing their views.”
A range of student rents will be available, and substantial bursary and support packages are in place to assist with costs.
St Andrews currently offers more than £24m a year in student scholarships and bursaries to help with the costs of living, study and accommodation.
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