“Bombshell” plans have emerged for 250 new homes in the redevelopment of the one-time luxury Letham Grange resort hotel in Angus.
Previously dubbed the ‘Augusta of the North’, the centrepiece mansionhouse hotel has fallen into increasing disrepair since its closure a decade ago.
A 15-year court battle – one of the most complex in Scottish legal history – was fought over the ownership of the resort north of Arbroath.
It handed the assets back to Taiwanese businessman Peter Liu, whose family are now believed to be behind the major proposal.
Residents living on the picturesque estate only learned about the redevelopment bid through a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) lodged with Angus Council in recent days.
Housing and holiday lodges
It indicates nearly 190 new private housing plots on the sprawling estate.
An additional 71 affordable homes – 53 houses and 18 flats – are also planned, along with eight holiday lodges.
The developer, Smartwill Investment Ltd is understood to be Hong Kong-registered and linked to the Liu family.
A new golf clubhouse is also included.
Letham Grange’s two highly-rated courses were maintained by members in an agreement struck after the collapse of the hotel.
It previously had its own curling club and was a thriving wedding and leisure venue.
But the golf club was disbanded at the end of 2019.
The PAN application has stunned members of the Friends of Letham Grange residents’ group.
They have already branded the scale of the planned housing as excessive and out of character.
And, while the group say they would love to see the one-time tourism jewel restored to its former glory, they remain highly critical of “absentee landlord” Mr Liu.
Profit driven
An FoLG spokesman said: “Residents have real concerns about this proposal which would see a massive increase in the density of housing on the estate.
“Under the ownership of the applicant the hotel, which is a listed building, has been allowed to fall into complete disrepair.
“The two golf courses, which were once a local treasure, are returning to pasture.
“The next thing is we get this bombshell.
“The proposal from the overseas and absent landlord involves a tripling of the level of housing and appears to be driven entirely by profit.
“There has been no engagement to date with residents, but we are willing to work with the owner to find a suitable way forward which is in keeping with the vision that existed when the estate was approved in the first place.”
However, the group want to see the indicative proposal sent into the long grass at the earliest opportunity.
“It is very much hoped that the local authority will give this application the response it deserves,” the spokesman added.
Community consultation
Paul Scott of Edinburgh-based agents Scott Hobbs Planning said: “Our client is preparing for the extensive pre-application consultation phase of the project and further details will be provided at that stage.”
The PAN submission says a website will be launched to let the public see the initial proposals and provide feedback.
A virtual feedback evening is also being planned for around the end of June.
It will run from around 4pm to 8pm and offer a live chat feature for the public to quiz the applicants on the proposal.