Designed by Halliday Fraser Munro, the buildings are part of the firm’s Phase 3 plans for the former playing fields within the northern part of the Kilrymont site.

A total of 703 bed spaces will be delivered within 132 accommodation clusters, and developers plan to retain and refurbish the sports hall, community-use facilities and pool hall. 

There would be 196 bed spaces within the West Central Apartment Block, 151 bed spaces within the East Central Apartment Block, 140 bed spaces within the North Townhouses and 216 bed spaces between the East and West Townhouses.

This application is the third phase of the Kilrymont Project being delivered by the Scotsman Group. Completed in September 2024, phase one involved the reuse of the existing Teaching Block to provide 208 student rooms, along with the repurposing of the Assembly Hall block to provide a range of amenities.

Phase two includes 241 new build units and external amenity to complement the Phase one development. Phase 2 is due for the student intake in 2026.

Overall, the three phases total 1,152 rooms in this high quality, high amenity campus development which will support the growth of St Andrews and provide a supply of managed accommodation in line with St Andrews University’s accommodation framework.

A planning statement reads: “Amongst the reasons for this is the chronic shortage of purpose-built student accommodation. By delivering circa 700 new student bed spaces at Kilrymont in addition to those spaces already approved in Phases 1 and 2, the pressure on existing HMOs throughout the town can reduce significantly.”

The proposals went before Fife Council’s North East Planning Committee on Wednesday.

Local councillors expressed their disappointment that a previously approved proposal for housing on the site would not go ahead and instead the site will all become student accommodation.

SNP councillor Ann Verner said: “I’m really, really upset this has got this far. There’s a housing emergency, but we’re now talking about 1,100 students in one wee part. It’s going to kill that part of town altogether.”

Councillors heard that a management company would oversee the accommodation and there would be CCTV throughout the site.

Planning officer Sarah Hyndman said: “A requirement of the rental contract includes student behaviour and sanctions if inappropriate behaviour occurs.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Donald Lothian was in favour of the application, which he described as “very attractive” despite the lack of mainstream housing.

He said: “It’s not exactly what’s been anticipated for many years, but as it stands, I think it’s probably acceptable.”

The developers say their plans will help address a shortage of purpose-built student accommodation in the town, while freeing up mainstream housing for residents.