Plans for a hotel and golf resort in Royal Deeside have re-emerged – nine years after they were first approved.
Kirkwood Homes, working with Inchmarlo Farms Ltd, has submitted a proposal of application notice (POAN) to Aberdeenshire Council for around 100 new family homes in Inchmarlo, near Banchory.
Their plans for the site also include a new hotel and leisure facilities, already approved by the local authority.
In 2011 councillors backed plans for a golf resort, five-star 75-bedroom hotel and spa.
Planning permission in principle was granted for the resort and 80 homes at that time, with estimates the development could bring as many as 100 jobs to the area.
Four years later councillors granted permission in principle for a revised Inchmarlo Farms Ltd masterplan– including a 38-bedroom hotel, along with 85 homes and 12 lodges.
At that time, opponents of the scheme said the new masterplan “wasn’t what was promised” when permission was granted in 2011.
Sauchen-based Kirkwood Homes has now indicated at least 25% of these now 100 homes – if approved – would be affordable housing.
The POAN submitted is not a planning application that residents can comment upon – but an indication to the local authority that plans for a major development are being prepared.
The proposals will be on show at a consultation at Inchmarlo Community Hall on Thursday February 27, between 3pm-7pm.
It is understood income from the homes would be used by Inchmarlo Farms Ltd to continue the development of their hotel and resort.
Planning permission in principle remains in place for the hotel and resort and developers have confirmed discussions are under way to find a firm to build them.
Kirkwood Homes’ land director Allan Rae said: “At Kirkwood Homes we have always valued the involvement of the local community and other interested stakeholders in developing our proposals.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the proposals to come along to our public exhibition, hear about the plans in more detail and importantly provide us with your feedback.
“Members of the project team will also be on hand to answer questions that members of the local community may have.’”
