A second multi-million pound A90 roadside services proposal has emerged on the north side of the Angus/Aberdeenshire border, a few miles from a planned development close toBrechin.
Luther Farm Services has lodged a bid for planning permission to transform land at Mains of Luther, near Laurencekirk into a service halt including a hotel, restaurant, farm shop and filling station.
The move follows the recent submission of an application for renewal of a lapsed approval for a 60-bed motel and garden centre at the Stracathro service area beside the northbound Dundee to Aberdeen dual carriageway.
Angus Council will determine the Stracathro plan, while the Luthermuir proposal will be determined by neighbouring councillors in Aberdeenshire, with the applicants saying that they are confident the Mearns bid will align with economic and tourism strategies for the area.
Mains of Luther Farm has been worked by the Robertson family for three generations and Luther Farm Services founder, Calli Hopkinson said the aim was to create a facility modelled on the type which exists at locations such as Gloucester the M5.
“Following submission of our proposal of application notice in February this year, we have carried out consultation events with the local community, and met with Mearns Community Council, local businesses and Aberdeenshire Council departments to refine our plans,” she commented.
“We have been busy finding out what we can offer to the tourism sector, as well as what local people would like to gain from a new roadside service.
“There is a clear gap in the offerings for high-quality roadside services along the A90 between Dundee and Aberdeen, and we are ideally located to serve that gap.
“The vision for the design of the facility is to fit in with the landscape, giving visitors a high-quality experience.
“There is nothing quite like this in Scotland,” she added.
“Our aim is to sell and promote produce from local suppliers, showcasing what the rural sector in the north-east has to offer.
“Supporting local businesses and creating jobs in the area is one of the key drivers for our project.”
Comments can be made on the proposals to Aberdeenshire Council by the public until June 29.
The Mains of Luther plan is just a few miles north of the Stracathro services site, where permission was granted in 2013 for a hotel and garden centre development.
The credit crunch has been blamed for stalling that proposal, but the scheme’s planning agent has expressed renewed confidence that it will go ahead.
