DEVELOPERS behind the renovation of Taymouth Castle into an exclusive holiday resort for the mega-rich have won a planning appeal to install radars poles on the estate.
Perth and Kinross councillors unanimously upheld the appeal for two pole-mounted radars at the exclusive golf course after Scott Hobbs Planning submitted it on behalf of River Tay Development.
Permission for the two tracking radars had been refused by Perth and Kinross Council’s (PKC) planning department earlier this year.
PKC’s Local Review Body was asked to reconsider the decision – part of the wider £300 million Taymouth Castle redevelopment – and the three councillors reviewing the application granted approval.
The proposal to install two four-metre high tracking radars on poles at the western edge of the driving range had been refused in January because council planners said it would intrude on one of the estate’s “key views” and went against the requirement to protect and preserve “important views” within the Taymouth Castle Historic Garden and Designed Landscape.
But reviewing the application this week, PKC’s Local Review Body disagreed, as it did earlier this year.
In January 2026, the Local Review Body also upheld an appeal to allow two houses and two garages to be built next to Taymouth Castle’s A-listed Dairy building, which had also been refused because of their impact on the view.
The total £300m Taymouth Castle development includes the restoration of the A-listed historic castle and adding a new North wing, around 145 residential properties, landscaping and the restoration of the golf course and the A-listed Dairy to transform it into a golf clubhouse with outdoor seating.
After careful consideration at this week’s meeting, Conservative councillor Keith Allan said: “It would appear this application has got far more significant material conditions than the reasons would be to refuse.
“The development of the golf course itself will carry significant further changes to the landscape. On that basis, I’m of the mind to allow the planning application to go ahead.”
SNP councillor Ian Massie agreed.
Convener Bob Brawn added: “Not too long ago we had a site visit to this area. At that time we were considering two new properties close by to The Dairy. The A-listed Dairy is to become the clubhouse to the golf course.
“There is a massive amount of development on this site. Whilst the views and landscaping is important – of course it is – we must accept the whole Taymouth Castle estate has now changed dramatically.
“We’ve allowed houses to be built in various places and I think the two poles or masts that we’re looking at here will have very little effect on the views we’re seeing, especially with houses going up around so I’m of the mind to grant the appeal.
“Once they’ve got the landscaping going in around – and even without – they will not detract from the views in this case. They are just two minor things really.
“I don’t think they’ll be out of place, bearing in mind the changes that have already taken place within the site.”
