A CONTROVERSIAL bid to open an £18 million luxury hotel in St Andrews has been approved by just one vote.
The Scotsman Group plans to transform the former Gibson House Care Home into a hotel with 96 bedrooms, as well as a pavilion building and bar and restaurant.
But the project has faced a lot of opposition, including from Historic Environment Scotland, St Andrews Community Council as well as Fife Council’s transportation and built heritage services.
According to The Courier, much of the concern centred on the lack of parking at the site – the B-listed building has just six parking spaces – and what that might mean for congestion within the conservation area.
Whether the building was in keeping with the historic area from an aesthetic standpoint was also a concern.
For example, councillor David McDiarmid said it was “not the bonniest”.
“I’m depressed at Edinburgh buildings being demolished and replaced with Lego blocks,” he said.
“This is not a bonny thing to be plonked in St Andrews.
“St Andrews has some of the best architecture in the world and we’re going to replace it with this right in the middle.”
The Scotsman Group has previously said the hotel would provide as many as 60 jobs, as well as another 100 whilst it is being constructed.
A group spokesperson said at the time: “Our vision is to honour the legacy of Gibson House while unlocking its potential as a world-class hospitality venue.
“This is not just about preserving a building; it’s about reinvigorating a piece of St Andrews’ heritage for generations to come.”
The application was approved by six votes to five.
