Plans to transform a ruined Aberdeenshire mansion into a boutique hotel have been lodged as part of a multimillion pound development.
The proposal for Ury Estate, near Stonehaven, has been in the pipeline for years, along with 230 homes, an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nickalus, and a retail development.
The £40million project stalled after FM Developments went into administration in 2009, however, it was resurrected two years later by parent company FM Ury.
The firm has now resubmitted its application to turn the B-listed Ury House – currently on the Buildings at Risk Register – into a hotel and clubhouse, after the previous consent granted in 2008 expired.
Last night estate manager Richard Milne said he hoped work to restore the mansion to its former glory could start as soon as October.
He said: “We have been working together with architects, engineers and construction consultants along with the planning department and Historic Scotland to formalise plans to allow construction and refurbishment works to commence this year.
“The mansion house is to be converted into a boutique hotel and clubhouse, and will feature a ballroom for both weddings and conference events.
“Works are due to commence in June on providing project infrastructure and in October for the mansion house itself.
“We have a number of further detailed planning applications in progress at Ury Estate, and we expect further developments to commence later this year.”
In the revised masterplan for the development, architects Halliday Fraser Munro say a restored Ury House will become the “centrepiece” of the estate.
Councillors granted permission for the championship golf course and 230 homes – to help fund the restoration of the mansion – in 2008.
Detailed proposals for the first 51 houses were put forward in 2012 and are still being considered by Aberdeenshire Council’s planning service.
The properties, which will range from three to eight bedrooms, would be scattered across the 2,223-acre site.