A report on plans to build a biomass plant and a building to house staff as part of the £300 million development of Taymouth Castle has gone before Perth and Kinross councillors.
River Tay Development Ltd submitted a proposal of application notice for the development of a staff service/welfare building, office building, greenhouse, the installation of a biomass plant and upgrading public road access and forestry track as well as parking with cycle storage on land about half a mile north of Newhall Estate, Taymouth Castle, Kenmore.
Taymouth Castle estate, Kenmore Hotel and beach were bought along with holiday properties by a US investment group.
The group, which includes billionaire philanthropist John Paul Dejoria, previously revealed extensive plans to:
• Reopen and restore Taymouth Castle, adding a wing, and build 167 residential properties.
•Restore the James Braid Golf Course and create a new club house, equestrian centre, restaurant and two spas.
• Upgrade the hotel and beach.
Planning consent for a Taymouth Castle revamp was agreed by Perth and Kinross Council in 2011.
The latest report went before Perth and Kinross Council’s Planning and Placemaking Committee on Wednesday, June 14.
Highland Perthshire SNP councillor Mike Williamson called for the building design to be in keeping with the surrounding environment.
The SNP councillor also expressed concern about “access to and from the site” and noise management if there was potentially a social club within the building.
Bailie Williamson also called for consideration to be given to access to public transport, flood management, the timing of the construction and the “potential use of treated sewage that could be sprayed back on the golf course through the irrigation system”.
Independent councillor Colin Stewart asked for the council’s roads or structures team to give the application consideration.
He said: “One thing I would note is the proximity to the A827. If I’m correct, the last time I drove down it, I was concerned about the subsidence of the road.”
A public consultation event was held at Kenmore Hotel on May 17 and the next one will take place on Wednesday, June 21 from 3pm-7pm.
The proposal for the biomass plant is the latest item to come to the notice of local people.
More than 500 people have joined new Facebook page Protect Loch Tay, entering into discussion about the best way to ensure the loch and its environs remain tranquil and a haven for wildlife and local residents.
Protect Loch Tay describes itself as “a group for folks who would like Loch Tay to remain in its current state, without being exploited by the new developers in Kenmore, who see the loch and its environs as a playground for the rich.”
Representatives for the developers previously addressed concerns of a “buy-up.” Discovery Land Company (DLC) said: “We understand people may be concerned. But firstly the properties were for sale, and secondly they were already holiday accommodation.
“We will be putting in planning applications to build additional homes for people working on the estate.
“We have a commitment to employing local people where possible.
“We want to build for those families, but not at the expense of those already living in Kenmore.”
Kenmore Hotel remains closed, the village store and post office has shut and from the road between Kenmore and Aberfeldy, many have observed Taymouth Castle is currently covered in scaffolding.
Chris Heasman of Save Kenmore explained: “The bulk of the development has been off the back of a previously approved 2011 planning application submitted by the castle’s last owner – this means that most of what has happened so far has not recently gone through the planning process, so there has been no real opportunity for people to object.
“As far as I can tell, PKC councillors and community council members alike seem either uninterested in or actively opposed to making any kind of fuss about it.
“Some of us attempted to raise awareness of what is happening a full year ago, and even tried to encourage further transparency and some assurances from the castle developers – only to be met with lacklustre support at best and outright derision at worst.
“If you want to do something about this, you should badger the non-Kenmore Loch Tay community councils (because they’re affected too and are much more likely to be willing to oppose than Kenmore), contact MSPs and MPs and most importantly, turn out to meetings such as the one about the Newhall biomass plant and demand answers in person.”
