Developers have been afforded more time to “piece together” plans centred around the redevelopment a historic 19th-century building.
The former seminary school of Blairs College is to be restored as part of wider plans for a hotel, golf course and housing.
A large proportion of the development relies on a proposed footbridge over the River Dee – linking the remote site to Aberdeen.
It is likely to cost millions, given the size of bridge that is required, and will require to be funded by house sales.
Some councillors at yesterday’s meeting of the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee expressed weariness at the slow progress being made on the Blairs development.
Councillor Colin Pike said the project “didn’t seem to be coming together at all” and Ian Mollison agreed he had “concerns” over the fact work on the bridge has not begun.
Stewart McPhail, director at Hermiston, explained that developers were battling to sell the properties to ensure plans can progress.
He said: “We are gathering funds to build the bridge and have spent £200,000 so far on restoring the college.”
Mr McPhail added that he hoped the hotel and golf course combination would be in the same league as “Turnberry or Gleneagles”.
The committee, won over by Mr McPhail’s speech, agreed to a delegated grant and approved more time for the Blairs development to be completed.
