Fife Lodge Hotel owner reveals plans for housing in grounds
Published:
Luxury homes could be built in the grounds of a historic north-east hotel.
Herbert Cox, who owns the Fife Lodge Hotel at Banff, has revealed plans to build three properties that he says would provide “beautiful” views across the River Deveron.
Mr Cox said he intends to either sell the plots, with planning permission, or put the houses on the market once they are built.
He insists the development would be a separate venture from the hotel itself and would not detract from the running of the business.
“The project is at an early stage at the moment and is still to go through the planning process,” he said.
“Where the houses would be located is really quite impressive and offers some beautiful views to the Deveron and beyond.
“It is a prime location for housing and we would only lose a small area of the grounds.”
According to drawings submitted with the planning application, the houses would be located south of the hotel building and would be flanked by trees.
Aberdeenshire Council planners are currently considering the proposal and are awaiting responses from various consultees, including Historic Scotland’s listed-buildings department.
A deadline of Monday, February 21, has been set for any public comment on the proposed scheme.
Banff and Buchan councillors are expected to have the final say on the application in the coming weeks.
The Fife Lodge Hotel, in Sandyhill Road, was put on the market last year with a price tag of more than £1.2million. The owners say they would sell only if the price was right and have not ruled out holding on to the hotel.
Part-owner John Cox, who is also a Banff councillor, said adding an extension to the hotel could be an option if it does not sell.
The eight-bedroom hotel features a lounge, two restaurants and a ballroom and is a popular venue for wedding receptions.
There is a separate four-bedroom self-catering house.