Accommodation plans for workers at the exclusive £300m Taymouth Castle estate are taking shape.
Aberfeldy Community Council announced on social media that they have received a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for cottages at the town’s Moness Resort.
The prime Highland Perthshire holiday site had been bought by investors linked to the luxury Taymouth Estate development in 2023 which is expected to require accommodation for 200 workers.
In July last year the neighbouring Kenmore and District Community Council, who support the luxury development, called for “a more sustainable housing balance” between residential and holiday accommodation in the area.
It was pointed out that tourism-related businesses had been are struggling to attract and keep staff largely because of a shortage of accommodation – and the situation was expected to get worse with the expansion of the Crannog centre and the opening of Taymouth Castle estate.
Aberfeldy Community Council chairperson Victor Clements said in a post: “We have received a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) for the cottages at Moness, prior to a planning application which will effectively be for change of use, allowing them to be used for residential accommodation for Taymouth staff.
“The application will cover 77 of the 106 cottages, allowing for greater flexibility of use, which will include some use as holiday accommodation if required.
“The remaining cottages and the hotel itself will continue to operate as visitor accommodation.
“There will be a consultation drop-in event held at Moness on 18th March, followed by a second event in April, prior to submission for planning approval. Details will be available closer to the time.
“This is a big change within the town that we should all pay attention to, and the purpose of this thread is just to give people a heads up on it.
“The numbers are in line with what we had been expecting.
“Aberfeldy Community Council have our next meeting on Tuesday February 4, 7.30 pm, at the town hall if anyone wants to bring up the issue then, and we will have subsequent meetings on the first Tuesday of every month, with at least two more in this consultation period before any application for planning approval.”
The Taymouth Castle website in a post dated January 28 states: “An investment group affiliated with the Taymouth Estate acquired Moness Resort in 2023.
“Owners have submitted a Pre-Application Notice (PAN) to Perth and Kinross Council proposing a change of use for some of the Resort’s holiday cottages.”
A spokesperson for Moness Resort said: “This proposal allows us to address local housing challenges while continuing to provide outstanding experiences for our guests.”