Fears ambience of Dunkeld woods will be ‘obliterated’ as holiday lodges approved

Plans for eight holiday lodges in the grounds of a Dunkeld hotel have been approved despite fears they will “obliterate” the ambience of woodland.

Dunkeld House Hotel has been granted permission by councillors for the accommodation in the protected Dunkeld Dell woodland.

More than 40 objections were submitted to Perth and Kinross Council over the proposals.

Concerns included existing facilities being too small, the impact on wildlife, increased traffic and claims the hotel promised existing residents it would not expand.

At Wednesday’s meeting, William Gunn, chairman of Dunkeld House Lodges Club – which represents owners of existing holiday accommodation on the estate – told councillors the woods are “a place of special interest”.

He said: “The quiet ambience of the place is natural and with scenic qualities, they will be obliterated and permanently lost.

“The proposal does not complement or contribute positively to the quality of the environment.

‘The development is simply in the wrong place’

“It does not examine alternative locations within the hotel grounds or present a business case for development.

“It does not detail any economic benefit and numbers of jobs to be created, does not show the hotel bookings are at capacity or that there is a local shortfall in holiday accommodation.

“It does not claim the hotel’s viability will be threatened without the development.

“The development proposed is simply in the wrong place. Building should been seen as a last resort, not an opportunity to capitalise on a natural asset.”

He also raised concerns about parking, congestion and what he called a “dangerous” junction at the access road.

No one spoke at the meeting on behalf of the applicant.

But councillors agreed that there was nothing in the application, or a report from planning officials, that justified turning the plans down.

The committee unanimously agreed to approve the proposals.

Local councillor Claire McLaren said: “I welcome the approval of the holiday units, which will sustain the resort.

‘Chronic need for holiday housing’

“Dunkeld and Birnam has a chronic requirement for holiday housing.

“I understand people’s concern but Dunkeld attracts tourists in droves because of the picturesque Perthshire scenery.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Gunn said: “I’m not surprised they granted planning permission but I am disappointed.

“I believe it was the wrong development for the site by the hotel.

“I’m not upset with the development but just don’t like that they only looked at one location and not others around the hotel.”

Earlier in the meeting, councillors rejected plans for a quarry expansion near Blairgowrie.