Golfers' paradise facing rejection

Developers unveiled proposals last August for the massive complex, including a luxury hotel, which would be centred on the existing championship course at Inchmarlo Golf Club on the outskirts of Banchory in Aberdeenshire.

The development at the gateway to Royal Deeside has been backed by both Scottish Enterprise and VisitScotland as a key development in boosting tourism in the area.

And the company chairman Stan Troup said the development, by Banchory-based Frank Burnett Ltd, would complement the plans for Donald Trump's 750m golf resort at the Menie Estate near Balmedie on the outskirts of Aberdeen, offering golfing tourists another flagship destination in the area.

But planning officials are recommending that permission for the scheme should be refused. The application is due to be discussed by members of the Marr area committee next Tuesday before a decision at a full meeting of Aberdeenshire Council.

The development includes plans for 90 exclusive houses - with a top price of 900,000 - and 35 affordable homes.

Paul Williamson, the planning officer, states in his report to the committee that, in the opinion of the director of planning and environmental services, the application is "significantly contrary" to the vision of the wider strategy of the local development plan.

The report reveals that the application has been endorsed by Scottish Enterprise and Visit Scotland. Mr Williamson states: "VisitScotland state that the proposed development of an enhanced leisure and tourism business, focusing on golf primarily, would sit well with the remit of the Scottish Government as set out in the Tourism Framework for Change.

"Tourism is Scotland's most important industry and investment is crucial for its future success. Scotland has benefited from several new golf developments in recent years and this investment has the potential to bring sustainable growth and regenerate areas across Scotland.

"Scottish Enterprise consider that the proposal represents a major step forward in the provision of quality leisure and accommodation infrastructure within Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms. This area has been identified as one of the six key tourism locations that are believed to have the greatest potential to have a significant impact on the Scottish economy."

But Mr Williamson adds: "It must be recognised, however, that the overall development is a finely balanced matter. While the clear potential for financial benefits are outlined ...the proposal also includes the provision of residential development, on land in the countryside, outwith the settlement boundary. Accordingly, the inclusion of these dwellings is contrary to the policies of the development plan.

"It is not considered that the financial benefits of the proposal would outweigh the clear contravention of planning policy relating to the construction of housing in the countryside."

He adds: "While the clear benefits of additional tourism and investment to the local economy would generally be welcomed, the over-riding concerns in relation to the provision of housing in the countryside, the associated impacts on biodiversity and woodland, and the provision of safe access, lead to the recommendation of refusal by this service."

Mr Troup could not be contacted for comment.