18/03/09 Plans lodged by a Perthshire architect to develop Croft Na Caber at Loch Tay into a world-class sailing resort involving a £20 million investment were today (Wednesday 18th March) approved by Perth & Kinross Council’s Development Control Committee.

Eric Strickland, senior partner of McKenzie Strickland Associates based in Aberfeldy and Crieff, submitted the plans jointly with local business partner, Paul Sale, through their company, Strathtay Developments.

The almost unanimous decision by planners to give the project the green light was warmly welcomed by Mr Strickland who, together with the McKenzie Strickland Associates team and Mr Sale, has spent three and a half years working on the project. Mr Strickland, who learned to sail at Croft na Caber as a teenager, said he was delighted he will now be able to progress realising a life-time dream.

The redevelopment plans include a sailing school, restaurant, kids’ club, health spa and swimming pool. It is expected the investment would create up to 42 new jobs at the resort and construction work could be underway within a year, with the earliest completion date expected to be 2012.

The pair’s vision is to develop the site into an accessible, high quality resort where people of all ages can sail in a safe environment.

“We are delighted the development committee has confidence in our plans to create a ‘jewel in the crown’ resort for Perthshire which both locals and visitors will treasure,” said Mr Strickland.

“I am passionate about this project and about Kenmore as a destination and our plans aim to preserve the tranquillity which makes the area so special while breathing new life into a resort which is out-dated and no longer meets expectations in terms of accommodation and facilities.

“To create a national sailing asset like this in the heart of Perthshire is a unique and amazing opportunity and we are confident our designs will unlock the potential of the existing resort through a long-term, sustainable development which compliments the stunning setting of Loch Tay.”

The development will include one, two, three and four bedroom holiday accommodation units and the buildings will harness green technology including heating using geothermal from the loch and biomass conversion.

The resort is expected to appeal to a wide range of visitors, from people taking family holidays to corporate away-days.

Strathtay Developments have been consulting closely with the local community, including the operators of the Crannog Centre adjacent to Croft Na Caber. This centre currently attracts around 30,000 visitors annually and the redevelopment plans, added Mr Strickland, take full consideration of the importance of this attraction and the heritage of the wider area.

The investment at Croft Na Caber should, Mr Strickland added, provide improved facilities for visitors to the Crannog and encourage them to stay longer in the local area.

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