The immediate vicinity comprises predominantly residential property and St Leonards Secondary School, although a privately owned student accommodation block (owned and operated by Empiric PLC) is situated directly south, across the road from the
subject site and within 100m radius.

The site is bounded to the north and west by sporting grounds of St Leonards School, to the south by a B-listed single storey residential dwelling (Abbey Cottage) while Balfour Place bounds the site directly to the east. The A-listed Precinct Wall of St Andrews Cathedral forms the perimeter of the site.

The site, which covers 0.26 hectares, sits within the St Andrews Conservation Area and is generally rectangular in shape. Two gas governor units are located on the north-eastern part of the site adjacent to the entrance from The Shore, with the remainder
of the site currently disused. Access to the site can be gained via both Abbey Walk and Balfour Place, although the main access is through the arched gateway located on Balfour Place, approximately 2.2m wide and 3.5m tall.

Given the prime location of the site and its proximity to St Andrews town centre, we would anticipate that the site could be suitable for the following uses subject to gaining the necessary planning consents:

- Care or senior living
- Purpose built student accommodation
- Residential (private for sale development, or individual dwelling)
- Development associated with educational use