Nick Nairn cookery school to team up with golf resort

Developers say hundreds of new jobs could be created if the development at Inchmarlo near Banchory in Aberdeenshire is allowed to go ahead.

The original plan to develop the site was blocked by councillors, but the developer Frank Burnett plans to lodge another bid.

Nadine Carmichael, the general manager of the Nick Nairn Cook School at Port of Menteith, Perthshire, said the company hoped to create its second branch at Inchmarlo.

"We have been looking at Inchmarlo since 2007. We are very keen to open up in the North-east. Hopefully this time the application will be successful."

As well as running classes by Nairn himself, the company he runs plans to invite other famous chefs such as Jamie Oliver to host cooking events.

Ms Carmichael said: "We have been working with Visit Scotland to develop food tourism which is definitely a growing market. The North-east is bountiful with great produce.

"It is one of the benefits of having accommodation. Some people do travel from Glasgow and Edinburgh, but we have a lot of people who will make a weekend of it."

Inchmarlo Golf Centre started as a driving range in 1994, but has since grown into a four-star resort with two courses, including one of championship standard.

It was sold in 2009 to property developer Frank Burnett and businessman Colin Wilson, who planned to improve the golf course, develop a top hotel and build homes. Originally the plans included 120 new houses, but it is understood the new proposals contain plans for about 80 homes as well as a 75-room hotel.

Stan Troup, the chairman of Frank Burnett, confirmed the group would launch another planning application. The company says the development would create 400 new jobs in construction and 100 permanent new jobs in the area.

Mr Troup said: "I can confirm that we will be reapplying to Aberdeenshire Council for planning permission. "Details will be announced, but the main theme of leisure remains at the forefront of the strategy."

Mr Troup has said a "world-class" name would run the hotel. The firm was in talks with three global hotel companies last year before its plans were rejected because of fears of overdevelopment.

Hotelier Stewart Spence, of the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa in Aberdeen, said the development was the sort of thing Aberdeenshire needed to attract more visitors.

"Developments like this will help us all raise our game. We are in desperate need of 21st century accommodation in this area because a lot of what is on offer is simply not good enough for the modern traveller.

"With a new hotel like the one that is being proposed at Inchmarlo, you can have something that offers the most up-to-date and modern accommodation and facilities - that's what the modern traveller wants."

A public meeting, where the new plans will be displayed, will be held before the end of the month. The plans are expected to be considered by Aberdeenshire Council in September.