FM Group, the developers behind the transformation of the Jack Nicklaus' Ury estate near Stonehaven, are hoping for a positive planning decision next week.
FM Group, the developers behind the transformation of the Ury estate near Stonehaven, are hoping for a positive planning decision next week.
The plans for a £80m world-class golf development, designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus, go before local Councillors on the 22nd of March.
Jonathon Milne, director of FM Group, said:
“This development, which has been several years in the making, has always represented a major opportunity for the region.
However, at this time of crisis in the North-east due to the low oil price, the opportunity to create 200 jobs and a new world-class golf tourism destination that will generate ￡55.5million into the local economy cannot be passed up.
Following extensive studies and work by FM Group’s team of experts and by Jack Nicklaus in redesigning part of the course, all but one of the concerns raised have been addressed.
Jack Nicklaus is also looking forward to getting a positive outcome next week. He said:
“As a potential decision on the Ury Estate development draws near, we are getting even more excited about the potential to create a truly special golf experience - one we hope will be a source of tourism, economic impact, decades of recreation, and, perhaps most important, leave a proud and lasting legacy for Aberdeenshire.''
Nicklaus Design and FM Group’ independent environmental experts changed the orientation of the eighth hole on the proposed golf course, with the redesign avoiding mature trees and riverside habitats.
The hole will now play west to east away from the ancient woodland on the banks of the River Cowie. The re-design will also mean that poor quality ash, sycamore and sitka spruce trees will be felled and additional indigenous trees will beplanted to the south and west of the eighth hole to form woodlands.
FM Group has also undertaken an independent study into the impact on woodland and produced a management plan to protect the woods and wildlife in the area during and after construction.
Although areas of ancient woodland will be removed, the topsoil from this will be spread over adjacent agricultural land which will subsequently be managed as ancient woodland. A total of 1,000 new trees have already been planted on the estate with around 2,000 more proposed around the golf course and the enabling housing development as part of a comprehensive woodland management programme.
Towards the end of last year, FM Group confirmed it had provided robust responses and plans which satisfied HSE, BP and Shell, Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Scotland and Transport Scotland and SEPA. The out-standing issues, in relation to flood prevention have now been resolved to the satisfaction of SEPA. FM Group funded and produced detailed surveys and reporting to demonstrate that flood plain areas would not be impacted as a result of the development.
