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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hotel boss slams planning system | Hotel boss slams planning system |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The chief executive of one of Scotland's largest leisure groups has called for Scotland's planning laws to be overhauled. | The chief executive of one of Scotland's largest leisure groups has called for Scotland's planning laws to be overhauled. |
| David Guile, of Macdonald Hotels, said planning in Scotland had become a "major frustration". | David Guile, of Macdonald Hotels, said planning in Scotland had become a "major frustration". |
| Mr Guile said delays to the Aviemore Highland Resort meant the company was losing money "on a daily basis". | Mr Guile said delays to the Aviemore Highland Resort meant the company was losing money "on a daily basis". |
| A final decision on the £80m Aviemore extension will be made by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. | A final decision on the £80m Aviemore extension will be made by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. |
| The application which includes improvements to the complex, a new supermarket and 160 houses, has been mired in controversy. | The application which includes improvements to the complex, a new supermarket and 160 houses, has been mired in controversy. |
| In March, the Scottish Government denied claims it acted inappropriately in helping to save the application. | In March, the Scottish Government denied claims it acted inappropriately in helping to save the application. |
| Ministers contacted environment bosses and the chief planner after Macdonald Hotels threatened to the scrap plans because of delays caused by concerns over flooding risk assesments. | Ministers contacted environment bosses and the chief planner after Macdonald Hotels threatened to the scrap plans because of delays caused by concerns over flooding risk assesments. |
| Labour's Andy Kerr voiced concerns because the developer previously made a £30,000 donation to the SNP. | Labour's Andy Kerr voiced concerns because the developer previously made a £30,000 donation to the SNP. |
| Despite the government's intervention, the detailed application still remains with the Cairngorms Park Authority. | Despite the government's intervention, the detailed application still remains with the Cairngorms Park Authority. |
| Mr Guile told BBC Radio Scotland's The Business he was "hopeful of a resolution to the Aviemore planning wrangles. | Mr Guile told BBC Radio Scotland's The Business he was "hopeful of a resolution to the Aviemore planning wrangles. |
| He said: "Planning in Scotland has become a major frustration to us as a company, as we have seen in Aviemore, and to other businesses in Scotland. | He said: "Planning in Scotland has become a major frustration to us as a company, as we have seen in Aviemore, and to other businesses in Scotland. |
| "Having been involved in similar developments across the UK, it is very apparent to me that there is a marked difference in Scotland. | "Having been involved in similar developments across the UK, it is very apparent to me that there is a marked difference in Scotland. |
| "There is much less willingness to provide co-operation and support and the applications are protracted and cumbersome." | "There is much less willingness to provide co-operation and support and the applications are protracted and cumbersome." |
| Stronger position | Stronger position |
| Mr Guile said he was delighted that senior politicians were "putting planning on the agenda". | Mr Guile said he was delighted that senior politicians were "putting planning on the agenda". |
| He said the Aviemore project was only half finished and the company was losing money because of the delays. | He said the Aviemore project was only half finished and the company was losing money because of the delays. |
| The Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort is run by a consortium including Macdonald Hotels, Tulloch and HBOS. | The Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort is run by a consortium including Macdonald Hotels, Tulloch and HBOS. |
| Mr Guile said it was "business as usual" despite the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds TSB. | Mr Guile said it was "business as usual" despite the takeover of HBOS by Lloyds TSB. |
| However, he added that funding could be an issue as the economic crisis deepens. | However, he added that funding could be an issue as the economic crisis deepens. |
| Mr Guile also said that the delay could affect the plans. | Mr Guile also said that the delay could affect the plans. |
| He said: "If we had been able to push forward these plans earlier we would have been in a much stronger position now with many of the houses already sold." | He said: "If we had been able to push forward these plans earlier we would have been in a much stronger position now with many of the houses already sold." |
| A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "As a modern country, Scotland needs a planning system which is an aid, not an obstacle, to economic growth. | |
| "Implementing the provisions of the 2006 Planning Act is well under way - this landmark piece of legislation forms the basis of a reformed planning system but legislation alone will not deliver this. | |
| "That's why the Scottish Government is examining ways of improving efficiency and reducing bureaucracy in the planning system." |