Plans to create a holiday hotspot within the grounds of a historic Highland Perthshire castle must be approved in time to capitalise on the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, the developer says.
Meteor Property Fund, which submitted a planning application for the regeneration of the Taymouth Castle Estate this week, has warned funding of the venture might hinge on councillors giving the green light to 71 additional holiday homes within the grounds.
The planning application will restore Taymouth Castle, converting it into a luxury hotel as well as adding a number of leisure facilities.
There are plans to restore the James Braid-designed golf course to reintroduce many of his design features while bringing the course up to championship standards.
The revised application follows a public exhibition in Kenmore in February when more than 300 people viewed the plans.
All of the feedback has been considered by the developer, which maintains it has incorporated their views into the proposals.
The location and style of some of the luxury holiday homes have been altered to minimise their impact on the estate, its landscape and natural environment.
It is expected responsible access to the estate will be allowed and Meteor is working with the community to decide the best ways of policing this.
People were also keen to see the restoration of the Chinese Bridge to reinstate the circular walk. To this end, initial remedial work to ensure that the Chinese Bridge is safe has already been completed and the bridge has reopened.
Meteor is also looking into the technical aspects of the repair and ongoing maintenance of the estate’s curling pond and intends to tidy up the surrounding area to make it more presentable.
The development company is hoping planning consent will be granted by this summer and work to implement the changes proposed to the existing consent would be programmed to start on site shortly afterwards.
The aim is to have completed key elements of the proposals by 2013, as it is vital to the success of the scheme that it takes advantage of the 2014 Ryder Cup.
“We are delighted that the development is moving forward and submitting the planning application is an important step towards the restoration of this important and unique castle,” said Martin Mortimer, Meteor’s development manager.
“We have listened carefully to the feedback we received from local people and statutory bodies and have amended our plans where possible to take account of their comments.”