OPPONENTS of a major golf development close to St Andrews reacted angrily yesterday to a decision by Fife Council to allow it to go ahead.

Members of the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council had argued that plans to create a hotel, conference centre, spa, clubhouse and two golf course complex at Kingask, in Fife, would turn the historic home of golf into a tacky theme park.

But after a tense four-hour meeting, Fife Council's strategic development committee voted by a majority of 12 to five to approve the #50m scheme put forward by the St Andrews Bay Development Company Ltd, owned by US multi-millionaire Dr Don Panoz.

The chairman of the strategic development committee, Bill Brand, said the project, approved subject to 33 conditions and a legal agreement on traffic regulation and improvements to the local road network, would be good for the area.

Strict limits on additional traffic will be monitored and any breaches will result in hefty fines for the developers who will have to set up a #150,000 trust fund to pay for any fines.

The committee unanimously rejected another application for a golf development at nearby Scooniehill, and also agreed an overview which recommended seven main guidelines on how such applications for similar developments in Fife should be dealt with.

Mr Brand went on: ''We recognise that in St Andrews we have a very precious commodity and we want to protect and enhance that for the benefit of Fife as a whole.''

He added that the council had taken full account of its own policies as well as national guidance and consultation in making its decision. ''This has been done and I believe we have taken the right decision today for St Andrews and for Fife as a whole.''

The only course left open to campaigners now is to seek a judicial review - which is unlikely because of the costs involved - after appeals to Scottish Secretary John Reid and Scottish First Minister Donald Dewar to call in the plan failed.

Last night, the community council's chairman Dr Frank Riddell attacked the approval, accusing planning chiefs of ignoring the St Andrews Local Plan, strategic study, traffic strategy and tourism strategy, which he said were all against the development. Dr Riddell said: ''The outrage felt by the local people at this rape of our beautiful town is enormous.''

When the planning applications were first lodged, he said: ''In our view these developments are monstrous. They will turn St Andrews into a golf-related theme park.''

His frustration was echoed by Ian Smith, Lib Dem MSP for North-east Fife, who voiced disappointment at the council's handling of the issue.

''There has been a lot of concern at the way this matter has been dealt with. I feel the Secretary of State should have taken the decision out of Fife Council's hands. Although I think it is probably too late for a public inquiry, there could still be a judicial review, although that would be expensive and would need the backing of some big organisation.''

A statement from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), which had objected to the development, said it still believed the scale of the proposed development was ''not appropriate'' to the Kingask site.

However, SNH has agreed to work with the developers and Fife Council to minimise environmental damage to the area which includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest, an area of wooded coastline known as Kittock's Den.

Joan Geddes, director of the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, promised to keep up the pressure for a judicial review, but accepted that the cost implications made it a distant prospect.

Later, Dr Panoz and his wife, Nancy, described the decision as ''one of good sense and judgment'' and said they were confident the development would quickly become a major international attraction.

Mr Iain MacKinnon, its operations director, claimed there was more support for the project in the area than opposition, adding: ''St Andrews Bay will be undoubtedly a major boost to tourism in Fife and will offer a significant contribution to the community.''

Work is expected to start immediately, creating up to 500 construction jobs with around 275 permanent posts anticipated once the project was complete.

Ian McLachlan, Fife Enterprise director of company growth, welcomed the tourist potential and new jobs the project would bring, but added: ''We hope that local concerns continue to be discussed to ensure St Andrews' position as the jewel in Fife's tourism crown is not compromised in any way.''