The economic benefit of a massive tourist development in the heart of some of Perthshire’s most beautiful countryside outweighs concerns about the scale of the project, councillors will be told this week.
Larger than some existing communities, the proposal for 167 properties in the grounds of Taymouth Castle, Kenmore, has sparked fears locally that the project might “swamp” the area.
Councillors will be able to judge the plans for themselves on Wednesday, but planning officials have no doubt about the plan’s worth.
Recommending approval, Nick Brian, the council’s development quality manager, says, “The development will contribute significantly to the economy of Highland Perthshire and further strengthen Scotland’s position as a high quality tourism destination.
“The proposal also allows for the restoration of the category A-listed Taymouth Castle and the redevelopment and reuse of a number of important listed buildings and the enhancement and management of the Taymouth Castle designed landscape.”
Central to the latest application is a plan to build a further 71 luxury holiday homes on the estate, in addition to 89 properties which already have permission.
Consent has also been granted to reuse existing buildings on site to provide seven properties.
The building of a restaurant, spa facilities and alterations to the James Braid-designed 18 hole golf course are also included in the application.Risk of alienationThe financial “carrot” of approving the development as it stands was hammered home in a recent report by tourism professor John Lennon which predicted over 300 jobs would be created and £30 million injected into the local economy annually.
While local opinion has unanimously backed breathing new life into the magnificent castle, the sheer scale of what is proposed has troubled some.
“With this increased density of housing, surely the developers are at risk of spoiling the estate and thereby alienating the people for whom the properties are intended,” Breadalbane Development Association secretary Dr Cindy Brooke said when the latest application was unveiled.
Kenmore and District Community Council chairman James Duncan Millar also voiced concern that it might “swamp this small but beautiful part of Highland Perthshire.”
Recommending that the development control committee back the plan, Mr Brian says, “There is a mutual desire to see this development get under way as quickly as reasonably possible.
“This has meant a number of issues remain unresolved, but I am confident these can be addressed by condition.
“It is considered that this tourism-based development is a key development for Highland Perthshire and Scotland and it has been demonstrated that the proposal will provide significant investment to the area.”