News

 PROPOSED HUB TO FUTURE-PROOF ST ANDREWS MEDIAEVAL HARBOUR
A Harbour Hub, aimed at revitalising and future-proofing the town’s mediaeval harbour, could be created in St Andrews.

St Andrews Harbour Trust, which is responsible for the development, maintenance and promotion of the 14th century harbour, has lodged a planning application to Fife Council to construct a 1.5-storey building for harbour users, the wider community and visitors.
Welcoming the views and opinions of interested parties, the Trust will shortly embark on a public consultation exercise, including events within the town. The Historic Environment Scotland A-Listed harbour is part of the St Andrews Conservation Area and an Archaeological Area of Regional Importance (AARI). The proposals represent a proposal detailed in the Finalised St Andrews and East Fife Local Plan (2009), the East Sands Urban Design Framework (2010) and FIFEplan, the current Local Development Plan (2017). For many decades, a Portacabin-style building has housed the harbour café, with the ground annually leased by the existing tenant and café owner.
Working with Newburgh-based Planning and Architectural Consultants A S Associates, the proposal is to create a fresh, modern look featuring a mix of wood cladding and render to complement the nautical surroundings, together with a zinc roof. Having already consulted and secured agreement from the existing café operator and held talks with local bodies, the Trust is now seeking input from the wider community.
Construction of the building is likely to use structural insulated panels (SIPS), which are lightweight, sustainable, and capable of being erected in a short space of time, minimising disruption and any impact on the commercial interests of the café operator. Pending consent, the team hope to start construction off-season when the existing café would traditionally be closed for business.
The ground floor of the proposed, replacement building, which will extend the existing footprint by 130%, will house an accessible café with seating for 20 diners. With a fully-equipped kitchen and facilities befitting a commercial café, sliding doors would open out to a covered area accommodating an additional 20 diners. Overdue, dedicated, accessible marine facilities (toilet/shower) will also be available to the growing number of berth holders and owners of visiting vessels. The upstairs area will house a much-needed office and operational space for the St Andrews Harbour Master, providing sweeping views of the harbour and monitoring vessel movements.
With a balcony overlooking the harbour and East Sands, the upstairs area will also house a flexible meeting space for community groups and a small café overspill area. Externally, the proposal also includes improvement of the public space in relation to surfacing and accessibility.
The Trust is seeking funding for the project through the Tay Cities Deal, a partnership between local, Scottish and UK Governments and the private, academic and voluntary sectors. Representing an investment of around £0.5M, the application is a part of the Tay Adventures Project and has the support of Fife Council.
The Tay Cities funding is ringfenced for the development of the harbour and cannot be used for maintenance or repair. Separately, the Trust’s fundraising campaign to repair and future-proof the harbour in light of recent and continued storm damage is ongoing.

“Such an important historical and commercial asset is deserving of high-quality facilities which will not only meet the practical needs and expectations of harbour users but the wider community.


“Having maintained and protected the harbour for over 125 years, every effort is therefore being made to create proposals which are sensitive to the historic asset of St Andrews Harbour and its location within the wider Conservation Area, benefitting both the function of our working harbour and the aesthetics of the area.
“While the proposals will generate significant benefits for harbour users, visitors and the town as a whole, we are acutely aware of the sensitivities of the area and will strive to be as open and transparent throughout the process as possible. As a matter of respect and courtesy, our priority was always to engage with the owner of the building first, which we have done, after which we will consult local residents, harbour users and, thereafter, the wider St Andrews public, including students.”
Sam Stone, Director, A S Associates, said, “The proposed Harbour Hub acts on the recommendations of Fife Council from its study of Fife’s harbours and design framework for the East Sands/Harbour area, dating back more than 10 years.
“These include supporting the Harbour Trust to improve the harbour and its facilities and the replacement of the Harbour café.
“The Hub’s design has evolved around meeting the needs of its users including the Harbour Master with good views of the harbour and out to sea, as well as a café/meeting space and toilet/shower facilities. The building design is simple, with traditional form but using contemporary materials, aiming to sit comfortably within, and without dominating its harbour setting.”
St Andrews Harbour Trust is a Trust Port Authority, (est 1897), an independent statutory body and charity, with a board of voluntary trustees and two appointed Fife Councillors.

Fife Council has installed temporary barrier using rock armour. The repairs will help minimise future damage to the cliff face and car park by essentially putting a barrier into the sea, near the cliffs, to lessen the force of water striking it. In preparation for these works, the Council has announced it will close the entire length of Shorehead for two weeks from Monday 18th December 2023.
We are extremely grateful that Fife Council has agreed to fund these works and thank the residents and harbour users for their ongoing patience while these essential repairs are carried out to our historic and important harbour.
In the meantime, the pier, which also suffered significant damage during Storm Babet and in the days that followed, remains closed while we continue to fundraise and explore additional funding streams for the long-term repairs and future-proofing of the slipway, pier and cliff.
Fife Council is helping to fund these vital works, the storm left a legacy of damage along various sections of Fife's coastline and Fife Council are working with communities to make the necessary repairs. This coastal protection work to the historic harbour wall at St Andrews harbour will involve some disruption for residents at Shorehead as the road will have to be closed temporarily.
We apologise for any inconvenience, thank everyone for their patience and hope that people will bear with us while this important work is done.
For further information relating to the road closure, please contact Fife Council, Roads and
Transportation Services.

In the meantime, the harbour car park remains closed due to the loss of the north-west slipway and, as outlined on the additional signage erected since the storm, the general public should continue to exercise extreme caution around all areas of the waterfront. The pier also remains closed.

We are working hard to explore funding streams to repair and future-proof the harbour area and will continue to post any significant updates on the St Andrews Harbour Trust website and Facebook page.