A £1.5 million plan to build a holiday complex could see a well-known former hotel rise from the ashes and attract around 50,000 visitors a year.
Yorsipp (Trustees) Ltd are behind the proposal for the Spittal of Glenshee Hotel, which would see the fire ravaged building demolished to make way for 18 holiday cabins, a central hub, car parking and landscaping.
The hub would include a restaurant, bar and reception area, with the developers aiming to encourage tourism to the area following the former hotel virtually being burnt to the ground in August 2014.
That incident saw nearly 50 firefighters tackle the hotel blaze for more than three hours and it appeared all was lost in terms of bringing tourists to the area.
However, a business plan commissioned by the Spittal of Glenshee Community steering group claimed that the new proposed development could attract more than 50,000 visitors to the area per year — generating an estimated £1.9 million to the Scottish economy in the process.
The study said: “The Spittal of Glenshee site is one of the oldest in Scotland providing a rest stop for travellers.
“The oldest — now fire-gutted — hotel buildings at Spittal of Glenshee date back to 1796, and this long history means that the area is well-known among locals and visitors in Scotland and beyond.“
The report continued: “The overall approach is to create a destination that acts as the ‘welcome to the Cairngorms,’ providing a café, retail area and activity hub.”
Local residents had suggested more than 30 different uses for the building, with the feasibility of six options being considered in the study.
Alastair Nicol, of Edinburgh-based NGP Architecture, who are acting for Yorsipp (Trustees) Ltd, said the plan will be a private development and estimates it will cost “in excess” of £1.5m.
“This is a large project that will see holiday cabins built at the site along with a hub in the middle of the building,” he said.
“If it gets planning consent, it is unlikely work will begin on site until at least 2018.”
Yorsipp (Trustees) Ltd, who are a private pensions company, have lodged a planning application in principle for the Spittal of Glenshee site.
