The masterplan for a massive £100million development – which would bring a five-star hotel to an Aberdeenshire town – will be scrutinised next week.
The proposals for a luxury hotel, restaurant and spa at Inchmarlo, on the outskirts of Banchory, will be discussed by Aberdeenshire Council’s Marr area committee on Tuesday.
Inchmarlo Farms Ltd are behind the plans – the first incarnation of which went before councillors in 2011 and were rejected on the grounds of its impact on woodlands and protected species.
The plans include a 38-bedroom, five-star Royal Whisky Lodge hotel. Guests would also enjoy a spa and whisky blending room.
This resort would be designed and delivered by McCulloch Unique Hotels, who own such brands as Malmaison, Dakota Hotels and Columbus Monaco.
There are also plans for 85 homes, including 20 affordable houses, and 12 holiday lodges within the plans.
It would be situated off of the Glassel Road and incorporates a large amount of woodland.
Marr councillors are being asked to approve the general layout of the masterplan next week.
If approved the plans would be delivered in three phases, firstly the hotel and spa, followed by the 10 houses at Auldeer Woods and then 75 more at East Mains.
The plans have been backed by the neighbouring Inchmarlo Continuing Care Community, however there has been 18 objections to the proposals – including from Feughdee West Community Council.
Concerns range from the impact on the Glassel Road, distance from Banchory’s shops and the loss of both agricultural land and forests.
The Forestry Commission has also called for the developer to revise its woodland strategy plan to include the details of the scale of tree felling and proposed replanting operations at the site.
Stephen Archer, the council’s director of infrastructure services, said the plans would have “economic and local benefits to the local and wider community”.
He added the plans included “a high quality hotel” and “well designed housing” while hotel would be “very traditional and bespoke.”