Construction on a £100m world-class golf resort, hotel and spa in the Angus countryside will get underway this summer after councillors approved an updated masterplan for the once-in-a-generation luxury destination.
With ambitions to become an iconic resort unlike anything seen in Scotland for decades, the development – on the Shank of Omachie near Broughty Ferry – will boast Dundee and Angus’s first five-star hotel.
The Angus represents one of the biggest hospitality investments in Scotland in recent years and could contribute more than £40m to the local economy per year once it is operational in around two years’ time.
The full development is expected to generate more than 300 full and part-time jobs, with a further 130 full-time equivalent posts and 285 additional employment positions during the construction and development phase.
The Angus owner, Mike Forbes of the nearby Forbes of Kingennie country resort, today welcomed the decision by Angus Council’s Development Standards committee to approve amendments to the hotel design and layout, while VisitScotland hailed the plans as an “impressive addition” to the region’s tourism and leisure offering.
The approved new plans will see the hillside hotel offering 175 guest rooms, a rooftop sky bar and 1,900 sqm spa and leisure facilities overlooking the Tay Estuary and St Andrews, with traditional Scottish architecture and renowned hospitality.
A hotel partner is expected to be announced in the coming months.
The development will also be the anchor for a signature golf course by Irish champion golfer Darren Clarke OBE, alongside a clubhouse and golf academy with driving range, alongside 160 houses and 10 luxury lodges.
Mr Forbes said: “We are delighted that the updated plans for The Angus have been approved and thank Angus Council for supporting our vision to create an iconic hotel and golf development.
“We have worked tirelessly to create plans for a resort that will surpass anything on offer in Scotland and firmly position Dundee and Angus as a world-class destination for tourists.
“As a long-established tourism business in Angus, we are proud to be moving forward with creating a five-star hotel and luxury spa, as well as the first signature golf course by legendary Ryder Cup winner and former Open champion Darren Clarke.”
He added: “We will now begin the preparatory work on stage one of the construction programme, which will see building work starting on the golf course later this summer.”
The Angus had already secured planning permission in principle, with a section 42 order granted by the local authority in 2017 to allow a newly appointed project team to make alterations to the original designs.
The redesign creates a sense of space, tranquillity and relaxation with an outlook that maximises the stunning views, including a spectacular water feature in the entrance hall.
Caroline Warburton, VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director, said: “It is fantastic to see The Angus move onto the next stage of development. The proposed five-star resort will make an impressive addition to the strengthening tourism and leisure portfolio in Dundee and Angus.
“Tourism an increasingly important part of Dundee and Angus economies with this level of investment and job creation a vote of confidence in our sector as we recover from the pandemic. We look forward to working with the team as the development continues.”
The Forbes family is working with an experienced project team of handpicked partners including 3D Reid architects, Ryden, Morrison Construction, Balgair, Manson Architects, Team Niblick (golf course design) and CPC (project management) to oversee the development.
Award winning Leveraged & Equity Global Capital (L&EGC) has been appointed as financing partner for The Angus development.
L&EGC and its UK division Credit Risk Mitigation have secured Invictus Risk Solutions LLP and its broking partner to create a portfolio of insurances through Lloyds of London and the London Corporate market that will underpin investment in The Angus during construction and beyond.
It is hoped The Angus will be ready to open to the public in 2024.