Plans for controversial golf hub at Taymouth Castle dubbed 'playground for mega-rich' withdrawn

Plans for a golf maintenance hub at a controversial gated “playground for the mega-rich” on Loch Tay’s shores have been withdrawn by developers.

In December last year, Discovery Land Company (DLC), a US firm which announced plans to turn Taymouth Castle, the neighbouring Glenlyon Estate, and properties in the nearby village of Kenmore into community for mega-rich club members, submitted the plans for land which was previously earmarked for low-cost housing.

More than 50 people in the local community submitted objections citing light and noise pollution, and impact on the surrounding.

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell has raised the concerns of residents in the Loch Tay area and said “it cannot be right for the wishes and wants of a luxury estate to take precedent over the desperate need for affordable and community housing”.

He said: “I was delighted when Discovery Land Company withdrew their original proposal. It was totally inappropriate. It shouldn’t have taken a petition signed by thousands of people to tell them that.

“Time and again DLC have come up against local concerns, and I hope they have taken them on board.

“Our communities need more affordable housing, not a playground for the super-wealthy. It cannot be right for the wishes and wants of a luxury estate to take precedent over the desperate need for affordable and community housing around Loch Tay.

“Over the past two years, I have been contacted by local residents concerned about the actions of developers around Loch Tay.

“Discovery Land Company have not been transparent about their plans for the Taymouth Castle site from the very beginning. They still have not provided a full and clear masterplan for Taymouth Castle and connected sites, like the beach, hotel and local shop.

“If DLC are genuine about investing in the local community, they need to show it.

“They must urgently produce a comprehensive masterplan instead of the multiple smaller applications which they have been lodging with no sense of where the development is going.

“We need a new environmental impact assessment of all of their development plans for Taymouth Castle and surrounding areas, including how they will support the development of affordable and low cost homes.”

Kenmore and District Community Council said: “The recent planning application for the golf maintenance building at the back of Taymouth Drive Kenmore.

“DLC having listened to the feedback and objections made by K&DCC and the wider community and have decided to withdraw the application.

“It should be noted, that concerns that work had already started on the site are completely unfounded. The works ongoing there are temporary and simply part of the preparations for the irrigation and foundations of the golf course.”

Following the withdrawal, two new planning applications for a golf amenity building and a golf starter building were submitted to Perth and Kinross Council in March.

The developers has previously said that the golf maintenance hub would be “crucial” in maintaining the course.

The application said: “The proposal is necessary to provide the required space to accommodate the facility which is crucial in the upkeep and maintenance of a high-quality golf course which is being re-constructed on Taymouth Estate.

“The staff maintaining the golf course also require the necessary working, storage and welfare spaces in line with modern standards of golf course management.

“The proposal represents a sympathetic approach to creating a new building on Taymouth estate in close proximity to Kenmore village.”

DLC has been contacted for comment.