Taymouth Castle chiefs are seeking planning permission for the next phase of luxury housing in the grounds of the Perthshire estate.
Five separate planning applications for 22 properties in total have been submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.
Anyone wishing to comment has until next Friday July 11 to do so.
Discovery Land Company bought the Taymouth Castle estate at Kenmore in 2019 with outline planning permission for 167 houses already in place.
The US real estate developer intends to build slightly fewer homes – around 140 at prices starting at £4 million – and to change the locations of some of the properties.
It has already led a multimillion-pound renovation of Taymouth Castle, which was close to ruin following a series of failed development attempts.
Analysts have predicted the members-only resort could boost the Perth and Kinross economy by £390m in its first 25 years.
Chicken welfare behind Dunning move
A Perthshire chicken farmer wants to boost the birds’ welfare by building a new shed.
Stuart Partnership currently rears 158,300 broilers – chickens raised for meat production – across three buildings outside Dunning.
It intends to keep the same number of birds, but to spread them across four sheds instead.
The planning application is tied to the Better Chicken Commitment – a set of food industry standards designed to improve the birds’ living conditions.
Currently, there are 18.7 birds per square metre at Mains of Duncrub Farm. The new steel shed would allow Stuart Partnership to reduce the density to 16.7 birds per square metre.
Supporting documents submitted with the planning application explain: “Any odours associated with the proposed shed are not considered to be detrimental due to the occupants of the farmhouse being the owners of the farm and therefore directly involved in its operations.”
Bid to restore castle entrance to former glory
The charity that runs Castle Menzies is hoping to secure listed building consent for works to the 16th century landmark.
Perth and Kinross Council is being asked to approve a new “armorial” – a stone carving featuring the Menzies clan crest – over the front porch doorway.
The existing carving was removed from the A-listed castle, at Weem, near Aberfeldy, in November 2024 for assessment.
Papers submitted with the planning application say it can’t be repaired as the stone is
“severely fractured”.
The proposed hand-carved replica would be based on a photograph dating from 1902 and a 19th century engraving.
The original Bolfracks stone is no longer available, but castle chiefs have identified a similar type at Howley Park in West Yorkshire.
They also want permission to remove 19th and 20th century plaster from the kitchen area so the walls and vaults can be replastered and limewashed.
Cultybraggan hut to become staff accommodation
Cultybraggan camp bosses have won permission to turn one of its old Nissen huts into staff accommodation.
The B-listed Hut 30 has been used as a holiday let until now.
It’s one of a group of former military training huts which were converted several years ago to provide a visitor experience with a difference on the outskirts of Comrie.
Comrie Development Trust acquired the former prisoner of war camp in 2006.
It has since steered a remarkable turnaround in the site’s fortunes. In addition to the holiday huts, Cultybraggan is now home to a number of businesses, including the award-winning Strathearn Cheese, and a heritage centre.
The Horn plans put to public
More details of the public consultation on plans to move The Horn roadside diner have emerged.
It comes after The Courier revealed the iconic A90 landmark could be replaced by a newer cafe and two more drive-thru restaurants.
A PAN (planning application notice) has been lodged for land 200 metres west of Horn Farm Cottage, near Errol.
The Horn Developments proposal also includes a hotel, a solar farm and a petrol station, with electric vehicle charging facilities.
The first public consultation event will be held at Errol Village Hall on Thursday August 28 from 3.30-7.30pm.
A second is expected to follow at the same venue on Thursday September 25.
And information will be posted on a new website a week before the first public event.
The consultation period is scheduled to continue to October 9, after which a formal planning application could be lodged with Perth and Kinross Council.
Permission for a similar project at the same location expired in 2022.
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