Construction is finally under way at the new St Andrews International Golf Club project on the hillside at Feddinch, above the Home of Golf.

The course, which is being developed by Scottish firm Scotia Investments, and designed by Tom Weiskopf's firm, is intended to be the centrepiece of an extremely high-end private members club, with memberships believed to be on offer for a sum in excess of £50,000.

The start of the build at St Andrews International marks the culmination of a more than decade-long battle over planning consents. Planning permission for the course itself was granted by Fife Council some years ago, but the plans for the clubhouse were later amended to include a spa facility. This required a new planning application, which was submitted in 2011.

Scotia appealed to the Scottish Executive last year, claiming that Fife Council was unreasonably delaying giving a decision on the application, which included listed building consent. Reporter Douglas Hope heard the appeal, and issued a decision in February of this year, which denied permission for the spa, but granted consent for the clubhouse, although construction must not start until all engineering work on the course, including bulk earthworks, fairway, green and tee shaping is complete. Scotia is also obliged to submit written evidence that this work is done before starting on the clubhouse build. This is expected to happen during the summer.

Contractor SOL Golf is handling the golf course construction.