A new £30million five star hotel planned for Deeside has been tipped to attract “high rollers” willing to splash out in the area.
As well as the 45-suite hotel with two restaurants, a spa and more at Inchmarlo, near Banchory, developers want to build 95 family homes.
The Sauchen-based Kirkwood Homes has, alongside Inchmarlo Farms Ltd, submitted a planning application to Aberdeenshire Council for the major project.
They say the overall development would bring investment of £62m to Royal Deeside, and create 80 jobs at the new “Lucullan” hotel.
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The vision
Colin Wilson, from Inchmarlo Farms Ltd, said: ‘’From the outset it has been our vision to create a sustainable new tourism development that fully respects and complements the unique quality of Royal Deeside and offers quality job prospects for the local community.
“We have already invested a significant amount to get to this stage and the partnership we have with Kirkwood Homes and the new hotel operator provides a fantastic opportunity for that vision to be realised.”
Of the 95 family homes, 30 would be affordable and the money gained from the properties would be used to build the hotel.
Kirkwood Homes managing director, Colin Crombie, said the most recent plans have been drawn up following consultation with the local community.
He added: “We are pleased to be bringing forward proposals for new homes in the area, but importantly one that includes 30 new affordable homes as it is vitally important that all those who wish to live in Royal Deeside have an opportunity to do so.’’
‘Confidence for the future’
The pandemic has caused misery for the hotel sector in the north-east, including at the luxury four-star Ardoe House Hotel at Blairs which went into liquidation with the loss of 68 jobs in November.
Andrew Martin, director of the Scottish Centre of Tourism at Robert Gordon University, said: “This is what I like, it’s a vote of confidence in the future of our region.
“Yet it completely flies in the face of what has been happening in the last year.
“Covid-19 has no respect of brand or location, and we will see good businesses going out of business for no good reason.
“But, this really is confidence for the future, and will be really good for the local area of Deeside, which has many good attractions and tourism hooks.”
He added: “When it’s a five-star venue, it’s always good, because that’s another offering in a marketplace which does not duplicate any current operators.
“In terms of the economic multiplier, you’ve got all the salaries of the people building and working in it, you’ve got all the materials, and then when people are attracted to this part of the world, ideally high-rollers, they will go and spend their money in other attractions or food and beverage operations in the area as well.”
‘North-east needs continual development at all levels’
Stephen Gow, vice chairman of Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels’ Association said: “The hotel sector in the north-east needs continual development at all levels to ensure a robust tourism future.
“Whilst this proposed new development is to be welcomed, it should also be remembered that there is a need for continued and ongoing support for existing hotels in our area now.”
The proposals date back to 2011, when councillors backed plans for a golf resort, five-star 75-bedroom hotel and spa.
Four years later, councillors gave the green light to a revised masterplan, including a 38-room hotel, 85 homes and 12 lodges.
The developers hope their most recent plan, if approved, could commence construction this year.
Although the golf resort aspect has dropped from the plans since 2013, the new development will have one fine dining and one general restaurant, a lounge bar, a “whisky library”, and a function facility if approved.