CAMPAIGNERS have called for by-laws to be brought in to ensure “legally-binding protection” for Loch Tay amid concerns about a US firm’s plans to build a private holiday compound on its shores.
The calls come as part of a list of requests sent to Discovery Land Company (DLC) by locals who say they want to work with the firm to ensure the development of Taymouth Castle and the neighbouring Glenlyon estate ends with a “beneficial outcome for all concerned”.
The Protect Loch Tay (PLT) group, which has more than 85,000 signatures on a petition looking to oppose “overdevelopment at Kenmore”, has sent the list of 15 requests to DLC in a letter seen by The National.
PLT raised concerns about the use of Loch Tay amid suggestions that it could become a "playground" for the mega-rich.
The group wrote: “Tom Collopy stated that DLC currently have no plans for a marina but when asked to guarantee that there would be no marina in the future, Mr Collopy could not give that guarantee.”
Collopy is the US firm’s project manager for the Taymouth Castle development. The Taymouth Marina already exists at Kenmore.
The PLT group have also requested a meeting with Michael Meldman and John Paul DeJoria, the ultimate owners of Taymouth Castle (below) and Glenlyon Estate respectively.
Their further 14 requests are: .
- DLC and Perth and Kinross Council – which “broadly supports” the development – work to establish by-laws for Loch Tay which confer “meaningful and legally-binding protection”. They ask for a speed limit on the water, a guarantee of no further marinas, and wardens to enforce the by-laws.
- A restriction on the number of helicopters flying in and out of the estate, and a curfew on their use. DLC material has suggested that helicopters could be a regular form of transport for compound residents.
- A halt to further planning application on Taymouth estate. PLT wrote: “This project must have been deemed viable in the original consent and any further developments form hereon would only be to maximise profit.”
- Environmental commitments from DLC – including one not to use chemical treatments on its golf course – and an independent, publicly published, impact assessment of the development.
- Restoration of access to waters that locals could previously fish.
- The re-opening, as soon as practicable, of Kenmore’s public amenities which are now in DLC ownership, including the shop, hotel, and cafe.
- A full map of “all ownerships, and assets linked to the Taymouth development/DLC/companies related to the Taymouth Development, and any current negotiations underway for acquisition of land, properties, rights or assets of any kind”.
- A “full and complete list of owned land and properties with the owning company names listed”.
- Regular public meetings with DLC representatives moving forward.
- A report on the social and economic impact of the development to be commissioned and made public on completion.
- An “immediate halt to all unauthorised construction on any land, holding or properties of DLC and partners”.
- A commitment to cooperate with Perth and Kinross Council and the Scottish Government to “provide affordable housing in the region”, primarily for employees on the estate.
- A commitment to “fully honour all access throughout the entire Taymouth Estate and retain core paths exactly as they were”.
- And a commitment “not to apply for permission to relocate Kenmore Primary School, or purchase the building and playing fields”. The school is located next to the main entry to the Taymouth estate.
The calls go further than the list of requests which the SNP MP for Perth and Perthshire North, Pete Wishart, said came out of a public meeting held to canvas locals’ views on the development in late July.
At the time, Wishart said that the “key principles” to have come from the meeting were calls for: better communication from DLC; a commitment not to develop a gated community; the re-opening and continued free public access of facilities in Kenmore; and the maintaining of core paths through the estate.
Green MSP Mark Ruskell was among the voices also calling for an “accountable masterplan for the project” to be shared publicly.
A DLC spokesperson said: “Despite our communications channels being open to all, demands were directed to press in the first instance. We would encourage anyone with queries on the development to reach out via the Welcome To Taymouth website so we can respond.”
