Plans for a £40 million luxury country club in Aberdeen have taken another major step forward.
The firm headed by property tycoon Alan Massie was granted planning permission in principle earlier this year on greenbelt land near Hazlehead Park.
And now a legal agreement has been signed by the Carlton Rock and the city council, which could pave the way for the site to be developed.
The agreement would see developers Carlton Rock take out a 96 year lease on land currently occupied by Hayfield riding centre and surrounded by Hazlehead Golf course.
Despite concerns from local residents over the scale of the project, Mr Massie has argued his plans for a luxury hotel and health facility will have a positive impact on the area and Aberdeen.
Mr Massie said: “I’d like to invite people to look at the positives of this project.
“The infrastructure of the area will be improved, be that through better roads or our plans to subsidies public transport with First Bus.”
Several city centre hotels have experienced hardship following the oil and gas downturn, but Mr Massie is confident his hotel complex will avoid that.
He said: “If Aberdeen is serious about hosting conferences and other major events it needs the facilities.
“I think our project follows the city council’s master plan for redeveloping the city.”
