Crieff Hydro hotel ‘to do a Trump’ with plans for £100m expansion

ONE of Scotland’s leading leisure destinations, the Crieff Hydro, has announced plans for a £100 million expansion of its Perthshire estate.

The ambitious proposals include the construction of 200 lodges between Crieff and the nearby village of Gilmerton, a 100-bed care home and additional leisure and retail facilities.

Stephen Leckie, chief executive of the Crieff Hydro, likened the move to the Trump golf course in the North-east of Scotland.

He said: “This will be a £100 million expense and is a big development In addition to 200 lodges, we aim to build a five or six-star quality care home, and there will be retail, commercial and leisure facilities.

“This will be an extension to the facilities on offer at Crieff Hydro.”

Mr Leckie said the project could also have a significant economic impact on the area, providing a welcome boost to employment.

He said: “We are looking at ways to expand and grow our business. We have already spent £40 million on the estate in the last 18 years and it has been money well spent.”

He added that, if the plans went ahead, the development could create up to 60 full-time jobs and up to 200 part-time jobs.

Mr Leckie explained: “There is a public consultation process to go through and we need to ask the residents of Strathearn what they think about this project. The investment could amount to £100m over 20 to 30 years. But we have to sort out the business plan and funding for all this.

“We have been involved in joint ventures before and have had interest from some parties, in addition to the traditional banking approach for this plan.”

It is understood Perth and Kinross Council have viewed the plans favourably.

He added: “We have around 1,000 customers and 550 staff at Crieff Hydro but this will add 60 per cent, making it around an extra 600 customers on the estate. “This is good for Perth, good for Scotland and good for tourism. We have consulted with the Strathearn community and many people have said ‘Well done Crieff Hydro’.”

A spokeswoman for the Crieff Hydro said the proposed development would be sited north of the A85 road and west of the village of Gilmerton.

She added: “Initial proposals remain under development. Prior to any actual planning application, the process dictates that we undertake a public consultation on any plans by mid November. The purpose of public consultations is to encourage communications and open relationships between developers and communities – making the planning process more open and inclusive – something that Crieff Hydro are fully committed to.”

She said that when the details and date of any consultation were finalised, it will be publicised to ensure that as many people as possible could be involved.

The Hydro first opened as the Strathearn Hydropathic Establishment Company in 1868. The 900-acre estate has five-star lodges, indoor leisure facilities including two swimming pools, and a Victorian spa, an 18-hole golf course and a riding stable.