The legacy of the Ryder Cup is still impacting on the Perthshire homes market.
The spin-off from last year’s high profile Gleneagles golf match between Europe and the USA isn’t confined to top of the range properties within a well-struck iron shot of PGA Centenary Course, with nearby Auchterarder witnessing a property boom unrivalled in Scotland over the last 12 months.
The surge of demand shows no sign of slowing down, but it’s the middle market which is fuelling demand in the Lang Toon.
Local builder Stephen Gardiner has been responsible for a string of £2 million-plus luxury homes in Caledonian Crescent, Queen’s Crescent and Balmoral Court which are among the country’s most desirable addresses but currently the SG Homes chief is rolling out phase two of a four and five bedroom family homes development.
“We have seen around 100 new houses being built in Auchterarder over the past year and a number of big players in the industry are heavily involved,” he said.
“That adds up to developments worth around £30 million. And planning consent has been granted for around 750 properties in the town.
“Gleneagles has always existed in its own bubble and there’s no question the Ryder Cup enhanced the area’s profile.
“The 2019 Solheim Cup and other big golf tournaments will maintain it.
“The wider community benefited from the Ryder Cup, with the upgrade to the local station the most tangible plus.
“The area was fortunate to avoid the worst effect of the collapse of the building industry back in 2008/09 and we are seeing green shoots of recovery in the local High Street, with businesses buoyed by the prospect of even more family homes coming on stream.
“There is kudos in having a Perthshire postcode and Auchterarder’s central location and access to the road and rail network attracts buyers.
“It was a key factor in securing the Ryder Cup and it translates into housing.
“Demand is across the board and Perth and Kinross Council recently enhanced the supply of social housing in the town, with the completion of a 10-home development at Castlemains.”