Albany Park
In 2020, the University of St Andrews demolished outdated student accommodation at Albany Park, St Andrews. Since then, the University has remained committed to the creation of new purpose-built high-quality student accommodation that will add a significant number of student beds to the accommodation it already offers in the town. This is in addition to other planned developments to create additional student accommodation at the Grange and at the North Haugh. All developments will help take pressure off the increasingly squeezed local private rental market.
Planning consent
In January 2021 Fife Council granted planning consent for a new 681-bed development at Albany Park. However, the pandemic, worldwide economic downturn and the subsequent hike in the cost of building materials made the University’s plans for the site unfeasible and the project was put on hold.
Progress
In 2023, the University and its partner Campus Living Villages (CLV) decided to redesign some aspects of the plans to make the project more commercially viable. Due to a post-pandemic decline in private rental accommodation in the town, the redesign included the creation of additional bedrooms. CLV submitted a new Planning Application Notice (PAN) to Fife Council in May 2023 for a £100 million development creating over 700 additional student beds.
Changes from the consented application are:
- Two residential blocks are joined, allowing efficiencies and an increase in rooms from 672 to 703.
- Some changes to the palette of materials used.
- Increase in the height of one residential block. This will create a social and reception space on the ground floor, acting as a hub for students living on the site.
- The University Estates Office, which is fully operational, will be retained as existing, subject to removal of some garages and buildings to the rear.
- Change to a fully electric development with no gas makes for a much more sustainable and healthy environment in line with the University’s net zero by 2035 policy.
The submission of amended plans was followed by two public consultation events at the Byre Theatre in early and late June at which representatives of the project design team and CLV outlined new plans for the development.
Timeline
August/September
The planning application was submitted.
November 2023
Fife Council’s Planning Committee unanimously approved the application.
Quarter 1 2024
The earliest date work can start on site.
Autumn 2026
The earliest date the new residence would be ready for occupation.
Student support
In addition to a significant investment being made to provide additional student accommodation at locations across St Andrews, including Albany Park, the University has substantial bursary and support packages in place to assist with costs. St Andrews currently offers more than £24 million a year in student scholarships and bursaries to help with the costs of living, study and accommodation.
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