The move comes after councillors approved a proposal to relocate from the existing school sites at South Street and Kilrymont Road to a new single home at Langlands last year.

The idea of a replacement was first mooted many years ago and there appeared to be no end in sight to the wrangling over where the new school would be located.

A judicial review into a challenge by St Andrews Environmental Protection Association Ltd (STEPAL) was dismissed in March 2015 but the construction of the school was delayed until January last year after an appeal to the Court of Session.

However, following the legal challenge, Fife Council was forced to go back to the drawing board.

A deal was then struck with the University of St Andrews to use a site at Langlands, next to the university, following a statutory consultation with pupils, parents, teachers and the wider community.

Fife Council co-leader, Councillor David Ross, said: “We have worked relentlessly to have a new school building for Madras College, to replace the buildings in South Street and Kilrymont, and to finally bring the school community together on one site.

“We have not at any time given up on making sure that this project succeeded. It has been a long process with disappointments along the way, but I am delighted that this application has now been lodged and this marks a significant further step towards the construction of this much needed new school.

“Hopefully we have found a solution now which can bring the community together and we can give the children of St Andrews and the Tay Bridgehead area the new facility which they deserve. The application will be considered in due course but in the meantime I would encourage stakeholders and members of the public to go online and express their views of the plans.”

It is hoped the building could be open in time for the 2020/21 session if consent is granted.