THE FIRST step in creating a resort of international standing in the Perthshire countryside was taken by councillors yesterday when they approved the construction of an 18-hole championship golf course.

The course on land at Gleneagles West, Blackford, is the first piece of the jigsaw which will eventually see a multi-million pound development built.

Outline permission exists for the GWest International resort which includes the golf course, clubhouse, hotel, housing, shared ownership and leisure-based housing.

The first detailed aspect of the GWest project, which has been dubbed “the millionaires’ playground,” was yesterday’s application, which was heard by the development control committee.

The committee was told that the course, which lies to the north of Blackford, was of championship standard and would be used by the hotel operator to attract people from around the globe.

Initially it had been suggested that there would be an 18-hole and a nine hole course but this had been replaced by the current plan which took up the same area.

A report noted that no consultees—from a list including Scottish Natural Heritage, SEPA and Historic Scotland—had objected to the proposal. However, some residents raised concerns over a right of way.

The planning department recommended approval, a stance unanimously approved by the committee.