Serious test for council - claim

The Courier, 26 December 2000

Only months after they approved as part of a local area plan an opportunity site for 11 houses next to the Queen’s Golf Course at Gleneagles, Perth and Kinross Council are being asked to change this, local residents claim.

Even while the Strathearn Local Area was still considering the plan, Gleneagles Hotel changed their mind and now want to build five times as many houses.

The hotel has lodged plans for 54 houses and a pub on the site formerly occupied by the hotel’s School of Falconry.

A planning application for the holiday park was submitted to the council in October just after the local plan was adopted.

“This application presents a serious test of council resolve to honour its own planning policies which prohibit this scale of development in the Gleneagles Area of Great Landscape Value,” a spokesperson for the Queens View Residents’ Association said.

“The preparation of local plans is an expensive process for the council taxpayers of Perth and Kinross,” the spokesperson added.

“They must know they can have confidence in the council’s determination to defend local plan policies that protect the environment.

“The hotel has not demonstrated that any benefits will be generated by the development.”

Gleneagles unveils plan for luxury development

The Courier, 20 October 2000

Gleneagles Hotel yesterday unveiled plans to create a luxury holiday “village.”

Around 50 two, three and four bedroom cottages would be built on land next to the Queen’s golf course. Work would begin early next year with the first cottage completed by Easter.

A spokesman for the Perthshire hotel said the development would boast its own pub and leisure facilities for residents and have a separate entrance to the hotel.

If given the go-ahead the cottages will feature en-suite rooms, open plan living and dining areas and fully fitted kitchens with views over the Ochil Hills.

Development director George Graham said, “This move into vacational ownership is part of an overall investment in Gleneagles. The development will be a natural fit to complement the hotel’s existing facilities.

“This project continues Gleneagles’ extensive programme of investment, including the proposed international executive management school, refurbishment of the existing conference facilities, combined with the ongoing upgrading of the hotel’s bedrooms and suites maintaining Gleneagles’ premier resort status.

“Vacational ownership has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the travel and tourism industry and now that consumers are legally protected, Scotland’s tourism industry cannot afford to stand still.

“We are continuously developing and expanding the Gleneagles brand and recognise the market is changing. To continue to grow, it is important we consider different ways we can drive the business forward and welcome the opportunities vacational ownership affords.”

Gleneagles hotel set for massive £10m revamp for 21st century

John Woodcock, The Scotsman, 27 May 2000

The Gleneagles Hotel has unveiled a £10 million expansion plan to take the prestigious establishment "into the 21st century".

Developers will create a luxury roof garden at the five-star Perthshire hotel, as well as upgrading the complex’s leisure and business facilities and expanding the hotel’s capacity. Diageo, owners of the hotel, announced a multi-million pound revamp of the renowned golfing resort after initial plans to sell the complex fell through.

Spurred on by the imminent opening of rival centres, the hotel has moved to reinforce its reputation as the nation’s premier golfing and leisure resort.

Already boasting three golf courses, shooting and fishing ranges, and a shopping complex, the five-year development plan will see additional spa and conference facilities created, and add 60 bedrooms to the existing 220.

Plans were also lodged to restore the exterior and main entrance of the hotel, which is a favourite resort of royal visitors and has entertained numerous international celebrities.

A Gleneagles spokeswoman last night claimed the redevelopment was essential. "This major investment will bring the resort into the 20th century. We want to keep Gleneagles in line with, or ahead of, the developing competition in Scotland."

Peter Lederer, Gleneagles managing director, said: "We’ve been here 75 years and we aim to make sure we develop the hotel to secure its future for the next 75 years."

The plans were welcomed by Perthshire Tourist Board last night. John Grainger, the chairman, said: "These are really exciting plans, not just for Gleneagles, but for the wider tourist industry in Perth and Kinross. It’s a major vote of confidence in the tourism industry and Perthshire is extremely fortunate in having a world-recognised hotel within its boundaries.

"It is of immense value to the area. Gleneagles is a byword for quality across the globe and that reflects well on Perthshire."

The drive to expand Gleneagles comes after work began last year on the £50 million St Andrews Bay golf resort.

Construction of a 209-bedroom hotel, conference centre and spa will be completed in April next year, and will be a serious rival to the Gleneagles complex.

Diageo were forced to abandon their plans to sell the hotel after bidders failed to meet the company’s asking price.

The company had planned to concentrate solely on its food and drink businesses, and wished to sell Gleneagles, its only hotel.

But interested parties failed to match the £100 million asking price for the complex, prompting this week’s decision to reinvest in the complex.

Former racing driver Jackie Stewart was rumoured to be one of the bidders for the hotel, which has welcomed Hollywood stars Sean Connery, Stephen Spielberg, and Harrison Ford.

Perth and Kinross Council is considering the development plans, and is expected to announce its decision later this year.