By Richard Burdge

FRESH SIGNS that the multi- million pound development of a Perthshire castle into Scotland’s first six-star hotel has not lost all impetus have emerged over recent days.

A lack of progress over the £75 million transformation of Taymouth Castle at Kenmore—work ground to a halt several months ago—led to concern locally about when, or even if, it would resume.

Rumours surfaced that the whole project had aroused the interest of a Middle Eastern consortium but consultants acting for the Taymouth Group Ltd, subsidiary of Hotels International Ltd, have remained tight-lipped about what the future holds.

However, an application for a related development has come before councillors who have given it their blessing.

Another arm of Hotels International Ltd applied to carry out alterations and conversion of an ancillary estate building into a retail development with restaurant/ bar facilities and residential accom-modation and associated car parking.

The planning application relates to a group of semi-ruinous B-listed buildings on the fringe of Taymouth Estate at the western edge of Kenmore village.

The rubble-built, former gasworks complex is set out in a courtyard fashion and features a large two-storey house, adjoining single-storey steadings, boundary walls and a rectangular industrial chimney.

“The site is deteriorating and in need of immediate action to stabilise the remaining walls, remove ivy growth and general debris dumped within the site,” noted Nick Brian, council development quality manager in a report to the development control committee.

“Consent is sought to alter and extend the fabric of the buildings to form an internal landscaped courtyard, four retail units and one residential flat on the ground floor.

“Two more retail units, a restaurant/bar area and further residential flat are proposed within a mezzanine upper level.”

Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage were consulted, with neither objecting to the development.

Kenmore Community Council had requested that the development be refused on the grounds that the use is in competition with and too close to an existing development.

It was further concerned about the viability and servicing of the scheme and over reliance, “like parts of the Lake District,” upon tourism, to the detriment of other employment opportunities.

In addition to the community council’s letter, seven other letters of objection were received.

“Business competition is not a valid planning reason to refuse a development, whether or not one can fully understood and sympathise with the sentiments expressed,” Mr Brian told the councillors.

“I would anticipate in any event, that the applicant’s regeneration and ongoing development of the adjoining Taymouth Castle Estate would help sustain both the existing and proposed businesses without obvious detriment.”

The plans are seen by many as a step in the right direction with regard to the larger Taymouth Castle plans. Major works have already been carried out on the castle, including 300 windows repaired or restored, replacement of the roof and repointing of the stonework.

The completed plans envisage the grounds will house over 50 lodges, a riding centre and a health spa and golf course.

A spokesman for the agents handling the gasworks development said yesterday it was separate to the castle plans but “complementary.”

He said it also indicated the general commitment to improving facilities for visitors and pointed out that the parking provision would have a wider use than just for the gasworks development.