Plans for 70 lodges welcomed by locals
Ambitious plans have been submitted which could see almost 70 holiday lodges created on land near Auchterarder.
Anchorus Ltd has applied to Perth and Kinross Council for permission to create 68 lodges on a site west of the Lang Toon.
The firm has said the accommodation would be a mix of two-bedroom, singlestorey, lodges on land 1000 metres east of Muirhead Cottage.
Should it find favour with the local authority, the development would feature a building at the entrance to the site including a community gym, ancillary farm shop/deli, sales office, reception, shuttle bus and an outdoor play area.
Anchorus Ltd estimates this could result in the creation of at least 18 fulltime equivalent jobs.
The firm has also signed what a spokesperson described as “agreements” with Auchterarder and District Community Sports Hub and Auchterarder Community Bus Group (ACBUG).
Andrew Warrington, of ACBUG, explained: “Auchterarder Community Bus Group faced significant challenges in 2023 with regards to funding which saw a reduction in the Auchterarder Town Bus Service timetable to two-days per week, inconveniencing many of our users who rely on the service to access shops, health facilities and other local amenities. In November, ACBUG was able to introduce a temporary four-day timetable.
“Our partnership with Anchorus Ltd in embracing their development will materially help us to maintain a fourday a week bus timetable and achieve a far more sustainable operation.
“This improved provision will crucially enable users greater independence to travel around the town and allow ACBUG to proactively address issues of social isolation.”
Auchterarder and District Community Sports Hub member, Anna Watt, said: “Everyone at the Hub is pleased to be working with Anchorus Ltd in welcoming this holiday home development within Auchterarder. Partnering with Anchorus Ltd will be immensely beneficial to the local community through the development of multi-use and all weather sports facilities for the local community to use.”
Scott Gillespie, a director with the developers, said: “Our plans for the holiday lodge development near Auchterarder have been created with the neighbouring community in mind.
“Our vision for the land is to design a high-end, low-density, holiday accommodation space with incorporated walking and cycling routes around the site, allowing residents to enjoy the surrounding scenery and visit shops and businesses in the nearby town.
“As such, we are continually engaging with the community to ensure our development is beneficial for the area.”
The application will be considered by the council’s planning officers.