Councillors run rule over hotel expansion bid

Those behind a four-star hotel are drawing up plans for a major development to build up to 75 holiday lodges, extra facilities and staff accommodation.

Ballathie House Hotel in Kinclaven boasts two AA rosettes in its restaurant and the luxury country house hotel has plans to diversify and expand.

A pre-application report was put before Perth and Kinross Council’s planning and development management committee at the start of the month.

The proposal of application notice (PAN) submitted to Perth and Kinross Council in April 2021 was to develop up to 75 holiday lodges, additional staff accommodation and facilities buildings within the grounds, offering the hotel a chance to “diversify and expand” its business.

The PAN said the proposal would create jobs, improve the quality of the existing hotel and extend the hotel’s tourism season boosting the local economy.

Liberal Democrat Perth City South councillor Willie Wilson called for a need to consider the visual impact, scale and design and layout, which he said was “particularly important at this site”.

He also wanted the relationship with neighbouring land uses, agriculture, landscape, tourism and economy considered.

Strathtay Conservative councillor Ian James agreed with the points raised by Cllr Wilson and called for the tree and woodland survey to be taken into consideration.

He also called for consultation with neighbours, and stressed the importance if an environmental impact assessment (EIA) being done with the site “being right on the river and the amount of woodland.”

Planning officer Kristian Smith clarified the proposals would be screened against EIA regulations and that would determine whether or not a report of that nature would be done.

The online public consultation originally scheduled for June 1 has been pushed back until later in the summer, with the date still to be announced.

Further consideration is being given to the masterplan following feedback from Perth and Kinross Council.