Preparing the ground for new student accommodation

Demolition work is under way in the east end of St Andrews to prepare the ground for new state-of-the-art student accommodation.

The University of St Andrews has submitted revised plans to provide 748 student beds at Albany Park to ease pressure on the town’s housing stock.

The proposed development is the centrepiece of a £100 million investment in student accommodation by the University which will create 1000 new bedrooms over and above the 4000 that the University already provides.

Late changes to the way A-level and Higher results were calculated, coupled with a high demand from overseas students despite the restrictions of the pandemic, have boosted the University’s current population of 9000 to an estimated 10,000 students, with up to 1000 of those enrolling for remote learning only.

With pressure on University and private accommodation at unprecedented levels, the University has had to offer additional student accommodation in Leuchars and in Dundee to meet demand.

The new Albany development would relieve pressure on local housing stock in St Andrews, where there is a shortage of suitable purpose-built and affordable student accommodation. Half of the student beds at Albany Park will be affordable accommodation.

Ben Stuart, the University’s Director of Residential and Business Services, said: “Mainly due to circumstances outwith our control, we are seeing unprecedented demand for University-run student accommodation.

“The development at Albany Park is central to the University’s strategy to provide more accommodation for our students and ease the pressure on the housing stock in St Andrews.

“The new Albany Park will provide around 750 high-quality student beds in an attractive landscaped environment and has the potential to revitalise the eastern area of St Andrews.”

St Andrews Student Association President Dan Marshall said: “Now, perhaps more than at any other time, students want high-quality, affordable and safe accommodation in St Andrews.

“Any increase in the provision of purpose-built student accommodation is good for students and is good for St Andrews as a whole.

“I look forward to working with the University to make sure that this new accommodation meets student needs when it comes to affordability and helps relieve pressure on the St Andrews housing market.”