A new tourism venture is set to be built on the site of the former Spittal of Glenshee Hotel, which burned down in 2014, after planning permission was granted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) today (Friday 25 January).

Planning permission in principle was approved for the erection of a reception, bar and restaurant building along with 18 holiday accommodation units, car parking and other associated works, when the CNPA planning committee met in Boat of Garten this morning. Along with the reception building and holiday accommodation, the development is also set to provide various visitor and community facilities.

Recommending the project for approval, CNPA Planning Officer Emma Wilson said: “The site of this development is in a very strategic location with it being at the southern gateway to the Cairngorms National Park and adjacent to the much publicised Snow Routes Scenic Route. The development meets with our policies and will provide an opportunity for this derelict site in a key location to be brought back into use providing much needed tourism facilities.”

CNPA Planning Committee Convener Eleanor Mackintosh commented: “I welcome these development plans with this site having been long associated with some sort of tourism accommodation, welcoming travellers over many years.”