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1930s St Andrews police station to make way for new flats

September 8 2015

1930s St Andrews police station to make way for new flats
An unlisted 1930’s police station in the historic heart of St Andrews is to be demolished after plans were approved to construct 16 flats on the site.

Muir Walker & Pride Architects have been tasked with overseeing the build, which will include the installation of lift access and underground parking at the North Street.

Built in 1935 the purpose-built police station features stone detailing and cement render to marry with the general character of the conservation area but in their design statement the architects note: “The North Street façade is a clumsy composition of disparate elements with an awkward juxtaposition of a gable element with poorly proportioned window openings and door fenestration.”

The replacement build will be faced in ashlar stone with some elements of stone detailing as well as roofing slates retained for re-use in the North Street façade with an existing courtyard car park moved underground to create an amenity  space.
The rebuilt block will incorporate stonework and slate from the existing police station
The rebuilt block will incorporate stonework and slate from the existing police station

2 Comments

St Awndae's
#1 Posted by St Awndae's on 8 Sep 2015 at 15:05 PM
How strange, they hope to demolish the 'clumsy composition of disparate elements with an awkward juxtaposition of a gable element' by proposing...a clumsy composition of disparate elements with an awkward juxtaposition of a gable element.
A Local Pleb
#2 Posted by A Local Pleb on 10 Sep 2015 at 13:46 PM
Whilst the original building may not be listed it does lie within a Conservation Area! Therefore I would question whether the replacement undermines (in Fife Council's own words) '...the special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance...'
The scale doesn't appear quite right when set against it's neighbours and the use of bay windows is out of keeping with other parts of North St?
Demolition, just because it is not listed, is not '...The best means of ensuring the maintenance of historic buildings is through an appropriate and sustainable use. Imaginative and sympathetic re-use of redundant buildings should be encouraged...'
(extract from the St Andrews Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan 2010)

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