THE US firm developing Taymouth Castle into a controversial compound for the mega-rich has pulled a planning application for a golf cart garage after thousands of objections, The National can reveal.
Discovery Land Company (DLC), which owns more than 35 luxury resorts aimed at multi-millionaires across the globe, had faced a stiff backlash after applying to erect a “building for golf vehicle maintenance purposes” on land earmarked for affordable homes.
DLC had insisted, in designs submitted to Perth and Kinross Council (PKC), that there would be sufficient space on the land for affordable housing even after the nine-metre-high golf garage was completed.
However, after The National broke the news of their plans, thousands of objections were lodged with the council.
READ MORE: Taymouth Castle developers in breach of planning rules, satellite images reveal
Now, roughly one month on, DLC have withdrawn their application. The company declined to comment on why.
In a letter sent to people who had commented on the plans and seen by The National, PKC said the application had been “withdrawn by the applicant” and added: “Please note that [your comments] will not be transferred to any subsequent application resubmitted at a later date.”
A statement on the Kenmore and District Community Council (KCC) website reads: “An application was submitted by Taymouth Castle estate to put a new golf course maintenance building on the land at the bottom of Taymouth Drive.
“After consultation with the community, the Community Council formally objected to the application.
“The estate has informed us that, following discussions with the Community Council, and with the benefit of feedback received from both the community here and Perth and Kinross Council Planning Department, it has withdrawn the application.
“The estate will now revise its plans to reflect that feedback and will re-engage again.”
KCC has historically been strongly in favour of DLC’s plans for the castle and surrounding areas.
The US firm has bought up many properties around the Taymouth estate, including the neighbouring 7000-acre Glenlyon estate, Kenmore Hotel, Kenmore post office and shop, Taymouth Trading, Brae Cottages, Am Fasgadh and Gatehouse, Paper Boat, Police House, the Boathouse cottages, and the Moness Resort in Aberfeldy.
READ MORE: 'Abominable': Fresh concerns for Loch Tay plans over US firm's track record abroad
Campaigners welcomed the news that DLC had withdrawn plans for the golf cart garage – and said they would continue to monitor the development.
A spokesperson with the Protect Loch Tay (PLT) campaign group said: “We are absolutely delighted to hear DLC have withdrawn their application to build a golf cart garage/workshop/chemical storage facility to the rear of residences in Kenmore and in close proximity to the River Tay, which is a Special Area of Conservation.
“The residents of Kenmore must be very relieved. We would like to recognise [Green MSP] Mark Ruskell’s assistance in achieving this, without which we may not have achieved this climb down by DLC.”
Ruskell had been involved in setting up a petition against the plans, which gathered more than 2000 signatures.
The PLT spokesperson went on: “We do however recognise this is probably only round one in the fight to make these developers realise the Scottish people will have their say on what goes on in Scotland.
“Perhaps the developers should select another area of their vast land holding to build this project on – I'd suggest nearer the castle or some of the luxury homes for their prospective buyers. Or would the sight of such a building be offensive to the eyes?
“We can assure the developers there will be more objections to any further applications in this area.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to lodge their objections and to sign the petition.”
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