Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture => Topic started by: Brian_Ewen on July 13, 2007, 02:52:45 AM
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Obviously this had me choking on my cornflakes this morning :o
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1091842007 (http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1091842007)
Jack Nicklaus plans new golf resort on Stonehaven estate
FRANK URQUHART
A NEW golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus would form the centrepiece of a £40 million hotel and resort development unveiled yesterday.
The proposal comes on the back of Donald Trump's plans for a £1 billion development at Menie in Aberdeenshire and reinforces hopes of establishing the North-east of Scotland as a golfing Mecca.
Edinburgh-based FM Developments announced that Ury Estate in Stonehaven is to become home to only the second Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in Scotland.
The "Golden Bear's" PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles, which opened in 1993, has already been recognised as a modern classic. It has also been chosen as the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup.
Separate proposals by the Trump Organisation to build what the billionaire tycoon has hailed as "the world's greatest golf resort" on a spectacular stretch of links land near Balmedie are still awaiting planning permission.
Mr Nicklaus last night said: "Ury Estate is a fantastic landscape that commands great views across the surrounding countryside and out to the North Sea, offering us a wonderful opportunity to design a memorable golf experience.
"The area is immersed in Scottish history and we are honoured to be a part of its golf future. We look forward to the challenge of blending the golf course design with its surroundings, and hope to create a beautiful course that will highlight the incredible Scottish scenery."
The 18-hole Nicklaus championship course will be the flagship of FM Developments' plans to transform the 1,500-acre Ury Estate on the outskirts of Stonehaven into a massive leisure complex with a hotel, shooting range, tennis courts and equestrian and fishing facilities.
Last December, Aberdeenshire councillors threw out plans by the company to restore Ury House, the B-listed derelict Elizabethan-style mansion at the centre of the estate, as part of an earlier application. The company wanted to transform the roofless mansion into nine townhouses and build 138 homes in the grounds.
But the planning authority ruled the scheme would have an "unacceptable impact" on the landscape.
FM Developments was granted planning approval last year to create the golf course. Its revised plan includes proposals to restore Ury House as the clubhouse, complete with function and conference facilities. A series of four hamlets across the periphery of the estate is also included in the plans.
Richard Milne, director of FM Developments, said: "It is a great honour for someone with such stature as Jack Nicklaus to put his name to Ury Estate.
"It reinforces our faith in the potential of the estate to become a golf resort with an abundance of leisure facilities for the local community and to attract visitors to Stonehaven and surrounding areas."
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Brian,
I saw the site in April. It will make a good site for a golf course and does have good sea views.
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Jon
I live in Stonehaven , and I wonder if we are thinking about the same piece of land ?
This is the site alongside the road ?
Hope Brian Phillips has something to say , on what has happened to the original design plans .
I am still wondering if someone has got their wires crossed here , as Nicklaus Design only mentions a development with FM Group for Cape Verde, off West Coast of Africa ?
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Brian,
It is true that the Nicklaus Group have been given the job. We took the project from scratch through planning permission but the developers have decided in the end to go with Nicklaus.
They have a good relationship with Nicklaus on the Cape Verde job and so the group were asked to come in and look at the site at Stonehaven. Nicklaus group liked the site and said yes to the project.
Jon,
The site is inland but still a good site for golf although it will require some major earthworks in some small areas of the site.
Brian
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Brian
Thanks for replying .
It certainly has the town talking today , and Mr Nicklaus's face is on the front page of the local papers .
Sorry for my ignorant questions , but what happens now ? .
Are Nicklaus Design allowed to use your plans , or do they start from scratch ?.
I do wonder how Mr Trump will view this .
Best Regards
Brian
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Brian,
Graeme has a meeting next week with Jack where all details will be sorted out.
I would be very surprised if Jack wants to stick with our design but I don't think there would be any problems with it if he did. We would take it as a compliment.
I will be very surprised if they can get that much of a different routing from the site anyway.
Brian
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Brian,
I was thinking of the land round the house called the sand pit although here is some land above that off the B797 that offers excellent views of the sea.
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Jon
To me , this is all very interesting , as I am now sure we are talking about a different piece of land .
I think you mean the B979 , and yes there is some lovely pieces of land there , that all belongs to Ury Estate .
From the road some of it looks very scrubby and heathery , the further you get away from the town .
The piece of land that the golf course was originally to be built on , that Me and Brian are talking about , is on a narrowish strip that runs alongside the A957.
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I love this quote:
"The "Golden Bear's" PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles, which opened in 1993, has already been recognised as a modern classic. It has also been chosen as the venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup."
Isn't David Kidd renovating this "modern classic"?
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Re-designing would be the word....it ain't no renovation...
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Re-designing would be the word....it ain't no renovation...
Yeah, that was my understanding too--poor choice of words on my part.
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Yes Brian, you are right, it is the B979 I was thinking about.
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The Nicklaus course at Gleneagles is a decent enough course, but completely out of place in Gleneagles and not a patch on the Kings course. Having played all three Gleneagles courses I'd play the Kings course 3 times for every round on the Queens or nicklaus.
It was awarded the Ryder Cup on the number of $$$ paid.
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Sorry Mark, you need another round on the Queens .
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http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/local/plans-lodged-for-80m-jack-nicklaus-designed-golf-course-1.844001
Plans lodged for £80m Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course
26 FEB 2015
PLANS for a ‘world-class’ championship golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus were today lodged with Aberdeenshire Council.
Developer FM Group wants to spend £80 million to create the 18-hole course and 90 high-end homes on the Ury Estate near Stonehaven, along with a luxury hotel and clubhouse.
An independent report, by EKOS, is being submitted along with the planning application and claims that the golf course and associated housing development would generate £55.5m for the Aberdeenshire economy and create 200 new jobs.
Nicklaus – an 18-time major winner – said today: “Aberdeenshire is a beautiful area and this site is particularly special. I have visited on a number of occasions, and I think Ury Estate provides us all the components to create a memorable golf experience.
“I think this golf course can only enhance the storied golf heritage long associated with this beautiful country and the passionate Scottish golf fans. We hope it can be a source of pride for the people in and around Stonehaven and the Aberdeen region.”
Jonathon Milne, director of FM Group, said: “This much-anticipated and highly welcomed golf development stalled during the recession but is now fully back on track and, if it proceeds, will really put Stonehaven on the map, attracting tourists and boosting business in the town. It is the final piece in the jigsaw for the Ury Estate development and an intrinsic part of the overall viability of the estate.”
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Brian -
With the price of all down 40%-50%, how is the economy around Aberdeen these days? Is there still an appetite for a high-end real state development such as this?
DT
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They have a good relationship with Nicklaus on the Cape Verde job and so the group were asked to come in and look at the site at Stonehaven. Nicklaus group liked the site and said yes to the project.
"Nicklaus group liked the site" is hilarious. Nicklaus will build on a dump in Syria if asked and the money is right. It seems a little unethical.
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They have a good relationship with Nicklaus on the Cape Verde job and so the group were asked to come in and look at the site at Stonehaven. Nicklaus group liked the site and said yes to the project.
"Nicklaus group liked the site" is hilarious. Nicklaus will build on a dump in Syria if asked and the money is right. It seems a little unethical.
Gary,
Maybe that's a little strong. Once you start a company, hire employees and maintain responsibility for their welfare, well, sometimes you build on a dump in Syria. Otherwise, downsizing and re-tooling becomes a nasty cycle that fails to keep your talented people around.
Back to regularly scheduled programming......
Joe
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Gary S. -
Rumor has it Nicklaus turned down the job to design Clint Eastwood's Tehama course in the hills above Carmel Valley, saying the terrain was just too difficult.
Having played the course that was built there (can't recall who wound up designing it), I would say Jack was right. ;)
DT
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FM Developments want to have a word with The Donald, because £55m and 200 jobs is way too low. Donald will show them how to spin a yarn ;).
Niall
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Nice to see this project back in business. Like David I would be interested to see how the oil price is going to effect it if at all.
Jon
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Gary S. -
Rumor has it Nicklaus turned down the job to design Clint Eastwood's Tehama course in the hills above Carmel Valley, saying the terrain was just too difficult.
Having played the course that was built there (can't recall who wound up designing it), I would say Jack was right. ;)
DT
Next door to Tehama he stole one design away from Damien Pascuzzo and Neal Meagher at Pasadera yet he used their routing.
Maybe Clint didn't want to pay his exorbitant fee. It would have been ironic if Nicklaus could fix Jay Morrish's design nightmare considering Morrish worked for Nicklaus for 10 years.
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David and Gary,
Let me set the record straight on the two courses that you brought up.
First, David - Tehama was indeed turned down by Nicklaus, and I was the person that suggested that the site was unbuildable. The only reason that a course was constructed at all is because the environmentalists changed the rules regarding whether the trees located on the site in the ravines could be removed. We were told that the have to remain and because the ravines/valleys had to be filled to soften the ridges, the trees would be destroyed. The site was tough without the trees remaining, but imho, impossible with the trees remaining.
Secondly, Gary - Pasadera was not 'stolen' from anyone. Jack was asked to do the project and after review of some of the existing road infrastructure that was already installed/being installed that was part of the Development Master Plan. The existing routing was not 'used' by Nicklaus. There was a new routing plan that had to work with the existing development plan. Some of the same hole areas were the same as the previous routing, by there were numerous changes to the routing, and the original routing was not considered other than the corridors that were established and couldn't be changed.
Hope this clears up any rumors and misinformation can be halted.
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https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/nicklaus-pledges-to-fly-in-if-golf-plan-wins-backing/
JACK NICKLAUS PLEDGES TO FLY IN IF GOLF PLAN WINS BACKING
The world’s greatest golfer today said he will fly to the North-east if plans for his £80 million golf course are approved.
Plans by FM Group for an 18-hole course and 90 homes at the Ury Estate, on the outskirts of Stonehaven, will go before the Kincardine and Mearns area committee on Tuesday.
Jack Nicklaus is due to design the course but in a report going before the committee, members are asked by Aberdeenshire Council’s planners to refuse the development, citing the impact on Slicewells Wood.
The golfer confirmed he will fly to the North-east to mark work starting on the course if councillors back the plans. And Mr Nicklaus today told the Evening Express his course would attract enthusiasts from across the world.
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. The stunning natural environment of this location will make for a spectacular golf course, which has the ability to attract people from all over the world.
“As our global reputation as good stewards of the land would indicate, our team’s goal is to not only protect this unique environment, but enhance it for generations to come. We have enjoyed designing a course, which blends into the existing scenery and uses every rise and fall to both challenge and entertain golfers.
“We hope that the planning decision is a positive one, and that my next trip to Scotland will be to officially commence the construction of the golf course at Ury.”
The FM Group has said the 90 houses proposed would be used to fund the development of the golf course.
Of these, 44 of the houses, situated to the north, are proposed near Slicewells Wood, which date to the 18th and 19th centuries.
The FM Group already has permission to build 230 homes on the land, and last year began work to restore the B-listed Ury House as a hotel and clubhouse.
Planners are concerned about the potential loss of 470 of 580 trees for the current application,
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Brian -
With the collapse in the price of oil (way lower than it was a year ago), what is the economic mood in the Aberdeen area like these days? Is there still an appetite for a high-end, luxury development like this?
DT
P.S. I hope your job status is secure.
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This project has been going on for so long already I would be more surprised if it happened than if it never got built. Decent site but much better sites in the locality IMO.
David,
there are a surprising number of top end housing projects just completed or being built in the Aberdeen area at the moment and most seem to be able to sell their houses which is quite surprising given the current situation.
Jon
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https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeenshire/1035302/council-could-make-u-turn-on-80million-development/
£80million golf resort backed by sports legend Jack Nicklaus faces being bunkered
23 September 2016 by Francesca Marshall
Councillors could perform a dramatic U-turn – and pull the plug on an £80million golf resort plan backed by sports legend Jack Nicklaus.
The Ury Estate development – which would include an 18-hole course and 90 homes – could be bunkered because of a landmark court ruling.
Earlier this year the Duke of Fife – whose company is behind the Chapelton of Elsick scheme – successfully challenged an £8million developer contribution demand.
His firm the Elsick Development Company had been asked to hand over the money to the Strategic Transport Fund as part of its planning consent – but Court of Session judges reduced the bill to just £287,000.
Their ruling is being appealed by the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Authority.
But it could have massive implications for the Jack Nicklaus golf scheme.
It was backed by Aberdeenshire councillors by 40 votes to 20 in April despite concerns about the loss of the historic Slicewells Woods.
But members are now being advised to “consider whether they still wish to support a delegated grant” of planning permission as developer the FM group would not be forced to contribute to the transport fund.
In a report, the local authority’s director of infrastructure services, Stephen Archer, said: “This report follows the successful challenge to the Strategic Transport Fund which inhibits the council’s ability to seek contributions to the Strategic Transport Fund.
“This report is therefore highlighting the material change in circumstance and asks whether members still wish to support the application in light of this change.”
The development divided opinion across the council because of proposals to build homes at Slicewells Woods, which is at least 140 years old.
Despite planning officials advising the development should not go ahead, councillors decided the “economic and social benefit outweighed the loss of part of the ancient woodland”.
Last night, Woodland Trust spokesman George Anderson welcomed the prospect of the project being blown off course.
He said: “Ancient woodland is irreplaceable. It is not just a question of the trees. We can put a new golf course lots of places, but lose ancient woodland and it’s gone forever. It was short-sighted in the extreme to ignore objections to this proposal.”
The FM Group had agreed to contribute towards the STF, with the money going towards addressing cumulative impacts on the strategic roads network.
Vice-chairman of Stonehaven Community Council, Phil Mills-Bishop, said he would be disappointed if the court ruling halted the plans.
He said: “In every discussion the community has had with the FM group, they have always been supportive to the community, and so we would be disappointed for two reasons.
“If because of a legal technicality FM group felt that they did not have to contribute anything to the fund to a reasonable level this would be disappointing.
“But two, we would be equally annoyed if Aberdeenshire Council took a very stringent view that it had to force a developer to meet obligations that it didn’t have to by threatening to withdraw the planning decision, as this would affect the community, so we hope there will be a sensible and amicable solution.”
The Ury Estate is also about to become home to a new supermarket, 50-bedroom hotel and a restaurant, proposed by the FM group and approved in July.
The developer also already has permission to build 230 homes on the estate, and earlier this year work started to restore the B-listed Ury House to its former glory and turn it into a hotel.
The FM Group declined to comment last night.
The Elsick Development Company has planning permission for 4,045 homes as part of the £2billion North Kincardine scheme, but has a long-term vision for 8,000 properties.
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Looks like it's back on again...
https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/1042385/north-east-councillors-push-on-with-plans-for-jack-nicklaus-golf-course/ (https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/1042385/north-east-councillors-push-on-with-plans-for-jack-nicklaus-golf-course/)
Councillors have pushed on with plans for a north-east golf course designed by US sporting legend Jack Nicklaus despite the threat of a U-turn.
A full meeting of Aberdeenshire Council yesterday quashed the chance to backtrack on a previous decision to approve 90 homes and an 18-hole golf course on the Ury Estate, near Stonehaven.
The golf scheme was backed by Aberdeenshire councillors by 40 votes to 20 in April, despite concerns about the loss of the historic Slicewells Woods.
However after the Duke of Fife – who is behind the neighbouring Chapelton of Elsick development – successfully challenged an £8million developer contribution bill to the Court of Session, councillors were asked to reconsider their approval of the golf course.
The Elsick Development Company had been asked to hand over the money to the Strategic Transport Fund (STF) as part of its planning consent – but judges reduced the bill to just £287,000.
Yesterday the council’s head of planning and building standards, Robert Gray, said the case means the council had been left with “no means to collect any money” for the fund from the FM Group, which is behind the Ury Estate development.
The STF money from the Jack Nickaus development would go towards the knock-on traffic issues at the Bridge of Dee in Aberdeen.
Mr Gray added since the STF could no longer be used, the council had to use a “transport assessment” to seek funds for local roads.
He said: “Using a transport assessment, we don’t actually require than money from them.”
However, Stonehaven and District councillor, Raymond Christie said the golf course was “supported by 98% of residents in Stonehaven”.
He also dismissed Slicewells Woods – which has been described as “irreplaceable” – as “a bunch of scrubby trees”.
East Garioch councillor Martin Ford moved to refuse the application due to the impact on the ancient woodlands.
The trained botanist said: “We are not talking about a habitat that is ancient trees, we are talking about the ecosystem that is ancient woodlands. What you are looking at is an ecosystem that has developed literally over a millennia.
“We should agree to negotiate and get something better from the developer and preserve the ancient woodlands.”
Stonehaven and District Lib Dem councillor, Peter Bellarby, moved to continue supporting the application.
He said: “There were significant, exceptional circumstances regarding economic and social benefit that outweighed the loss of ancient woodland.”
His motion was backed by 48 votes to 13, with one no vote.
The FM Group’s developer’s obligations towards local schools and community facilities have not been affected by the court case.
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The locals just can not understand how the Duke of Fife has got away with this.
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Anyone on here nowadays, involved with this project?
At a local council meeting this week in Stonehaven, it was reported that they intend to break ground in October (2019).
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Well, it looks like they would rather just build flats than a clubhouse/hotel at Ury ... SURPRISE SURPRISE.
So, I guess no golf course then?
https://thebellman.co.uk/2019/10/28/dramatic-change-of-plan-at-ury/
Dramatic Change of Plan at Ury
By Jane Cruickshank / October 28, 2019
(https://thebellman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Ury-House-JCC_LI-833x560.jpg)
Ury Estate Limited have applied for listed building consent for alterations and reinstatement of the derelict mansion house to form 19 Flats on the ground, first and second floor with associated parking, landscaping and engineering works.
This would appear to be a significant shift in the vision for Ury Estate that promised a hotel and golf clubhouse in the restored house. Planning permission for this was first granted back in 2008, with a second such application granted in 2012.
Indeed, the shift to a golf-led country estate was plan B by the then developers, FM Developments, who in December 2006 were refused planning permission for their proposals to refurbish the dilapidated mansion house and create nine apartments. This project was to have been enabled by the building of 138 houses.
Their plans had been approved by the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee but not by Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee.
The Bellman believes the reason for the plans’ refusal was the proximity of the Forties pipeline.
So long-winded is the Ury saga that the above detail is now archived on Aberdeenshire Council’s website, but not on that of our local newspaper, the Mearns Leader.
So what now for the grand vision for Ury?
Even today, Tuesday October 29, councillors on the Kincardine and Mearns Area Committee are considering the detail of 94 of the 230 houses that were granted outline permission to enable the saving of the listed mansion which was deemed to be at risk.
And of course – there was the Nicklaus designed golf course, which first gained planning permission in 2007, then won a second permission in 2018, this time with the added element of 90 houses to enable the development.
For voicing your opinion of the latest moves at Ury Estate: do so in writing to Robert Gray Head of Planning and Environment Service by November 21. You can also make comment online or to the email address below. Please note the date for comment will extend if neighbour notification or advertisement is required. Comments must be submitted within the required timescale and any comments made will be available for public inspection and will be published on the internet.
Local Planning Office: Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, AB39
Telephone: 01467-534333
Email: planningonline@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
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Brian
I've no idea what beef Jane Cruikshank has but I'd have thought saving the building to be quite a good thing, no ?
Niall
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https://thebellman.co.uk/2019/10/29/hotel-not-a-viable-option-at-ury/
But developer says golf course still on the cards with clubhouse in the basement
Aberdeenshire Council’s weekly planning lists revealed yesterday that Ury Estate Limited have applied for listed building consent for alterations to and reinstatement of the derelict mansion house to form 19 flats on the ground, first and second floor with associated parking, landscaping and engineering works.
This was a surprise move at the estate, where 230 houses are consented to enable the restoration of the mansion built in the Elizabethan style in 1885 by Sir Alexander Baird, 1st Baronet.
Permission was in the bag for a hotel and golf clubhouse. And back in 2016 hospitality industry news sites announced the team behind Andy Murray’s hotel, Cromlix, would manage Stonehaven’s boutique mansion hotel.
But it appears the numbers are no longer stacking up for the venture. A spokesperson for FM Group told The Bellman: “We can confirm that a planning application has been lodged to change the use of the upper floors of Ury Mansion House to 19 high-quality apartments from the previously consented five hotel bedrooms.
“The lower ground floor does not form part of the application and will remain as a golf clubhouse facility, as previously consented.
“To develop two entire floors of Ury Mansion House, adding only five hotel bedrooms, has proven not to be a financially viable option. The current economic climate indicates that a third of bed spaces were empty in Aberdeen City in 2018 and this does not offer a secure long-term sustainable future for Ury Mansion House.
“It is still intended to commence construction of the Jack Nicklaus golf course later this year, which is expected to take three years, with the clubhouse opening in conjunction with this.
“Revenue raised from the apartment sales will part fun the early establishment of the golf course and running of the golf clubhouse.”
It should be noted that works got underway this May on 90 affordable houses, which were an enabling development for the golf course at Ury Estate. According the the section 75 agreement, an index linked sum of £160,000 per house will be placed in a bank account held with the local authority and used for the construction of the golf course. A futher £1299 must also be paid in to a community halls fund.
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Replacing 5 hotel bedrooms with 19 high quality apartments in the same footprint? Strange numbers indeed.
No-one got a plan of the course? That must been in the records somewhere...
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Replacing 5 hotel bedrooms with 19 high quality apartments in the same footprint? Strange numbers indeed.
No-one got a plan of the course? That must been in the records somewhere...
Approved Golf Course Layout
https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/files/AB47B4CE3647F359E5BE152C6A89F3BC/pdf/APP_2015_0541-APPROVED_MASTERPLAN-8017749.pdf
Planning Application Information
https://upa.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NKF7VDCAL1Y00
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Replacing 5 hotel bedrooms with 19 high quality apartments in the same footprint? Strange numbers indeed.
I wonder if that should be replacing 5 star hotel bedrooms?
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https://twitter.com/CWightSTV/status/1384087492790415361 (https://twitter.com/CWightSTV/status/1384087492790415361)
Work has begun to deliver the Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole championship golf course at the Ury Estate near Stonehaven. The opening date for the golf course has been set for early Summer 2024. New houses are being built on the estate and Ury House turned into luxury apartments.
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https://www.thebellman.co.uk/2021/04/19/nicklaus-golf-course-at-ury-tees-off/ (https://www.thebellman.co.uk/2021/04/19/nicklaus-golf-course-at-ury-tees-off/)
Nicklaus Golf Course at Ury Tees Off
By bellmannews / April 19, 2021
From Orbit Communications –
Work has swung into action to deliver the Jack Nicklaus designed 18-hole championship golf course at the spectacular Ury Estate .
Activity is commencing on the careful preparation of the land for the construction of the masterpiece signature golf course and housing. Opening date for the golf course has been set for early Summer 2024.
The overall Ury Estate development is being undertaken by developer FM Group and work has just been completed on the planting scheme, covering 30 hectares with around 60,000 trees planted.
Known worldwide as the ‘Golden Bear’, Jack is an 18-time major championship winner, including the Opens he won on Scottish soil, twice at St Andrews (1970 and 1978) and at Muirfield (1966). Jack’s love of Scotland is well-recognised and was acknowledged in 2005 when the Golden Bear became the only living non-UK national to feature on British currency.
His legacy as a player is equalled only by his reputation as a golf course designer. With over 265 courses to his resume, he has built one of the world’s leading golf design firms.
Commenting on commencing work on the golf course, Jack Nicklaus said:
“From the first day I walked the estate and we discussed the course design, FM Group director Jonathon Milne made it very clear that the goal was to create something that would blend in naturally with the Scottish countryside.
“My philosophy has always been to work with what the natural environment has provided us with, and whenever possible create something that will enhance it, and in many cases create new and better natural habitats. And while our firm has created golf courses in 45 countries, Scotland is very special as the game of golf and to me personally.
“Some of my favourite courses are spread over the beautiful Scottish landscape and to have this opportunity to create something truly special at Ury Estate is both an honour and a great responsibility for me. My goal is to blend in a golf course that lays naturally over the landscape around Stonehaven, work to protect the existing natural surroundings, and to provide an experience that locals and visitors to Ury Estate will truly enjoy for generations to come.”
Douglas Thomson, Ury Estate Project Director said:
“To be commencing work on the course and having Jack’s personal involvement is a ringing endorsement of what we are trying to achieve here in delivering a spectacular experience for both residents and visitors alike.
“The development has a great deal to offer the local community and will attract visitors to both Stonehaven and the surrounding area.
“The golf course is a significant addition to the Ury project and with work progressing on housing, infrastructure and the castle, it is full steam ahead this year.”
Graeme Webster Golf Course Project Manager said:
“Our goal is to create a development that will blend in naturally with the spectacular Scottish countryside and Jack and his team work to an incredibly high level of detail, endeavouring to ensure that a wonderful golf course sits very well in the existing terrain.
“Current site features and the wonderful pallete of nature have all been carefully surveyed and incorporated into the design.
“We have been working very closely with Jack, the Nicklaus Design team and local officials to follow all guidelines and requirements, taking special care to ensure all standards to protect our beautiful Scottish environment are met.
“The Jack Nicklaus signature golf course will undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to the North East of Scotland’s already rich golf offering and one which will enhance Aberdeen’s reputation as a world class golfing destination.”
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Taken today, already looks like a nice setting for a golf hole.
(https://i.postimg.cc/jqXjhj3f/UE10-29-05-21-02.jpg)
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Thanks Brian, that looks like a nice enough site to not overshape.
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I hope they aren't talking about part of the course when they mention: "The overall Ury Estate development is being undertaken by developer FM Group and work has just been completed on the planting scheme, covering 30 hectares with around 60,000 trees planted."
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Ury House, as it looks today in the Haar.
Not sure what is happening with it now, not the Clubhouse/Hotel that we were promised I guess ::)
(https://i.postimg.cc/xdrdPNPn/UE-30-05-21-01.jpg)
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I wonder how many different owners places like this, especially ones in this kind of location/terrain, will have in say their first 20 yrs and whether in say 50 yrs time they’ll even exist? There have been a few developments in the area that haven’t progressed as they were likely envisaged too and some I believe don’t even exist anymore. Lots of competition in that neck of the woods.
Atb
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm483JFV3GA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm483JFV3GA)
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Lovely. Very gently contoured fairways set among some nice containment mounding. Could be set anywhere but still I suspect it would be very enjoyable.
Niall
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm483JFV3GA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm483JFV3GA)
Graphics are so good today that I thought I was actually seeing the golf course.
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Perfect for top brass and senior ex-pat oil industry folks in rental houses?
Atb
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Perfect for top brass and senior ex-pat oil industry folks in rental houses?
Atb
Maybe 40 years ago.
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Perfect for top brass and senior ex-pat oil industry folks in rental houses?
Atb
Sorry doesn't appeal to me... but I'll ask around. ;)
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This is the south boundary of Ury Estate and the Slug Road.
In springtime, the construction crew felled a small old woodland, leaving only some of the trees that line the property.
This already annoyed local bird enthusiasts as the tree felling was done while birds had started nesting, and this work also included a heronry.
Yesterday, in comes Storm Arwen, and what happens to the tall trees that they left exposed to the north gale?
It's maybe a bit of uneducated rant, but sometimes I just do not get what people that build golf courses do.
(https://i.postimg.cc/d3X4FV7n/s261666378-1s0216138791221368-7305966952038084677-n.jpg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/2600Hwrs/s261478922-10216138790821358-2894535362395914580-n.jpg)
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https://www.thebellman.co.uk/2023/03/17/ury-update-and-the-missing-link/
Golf course
Some work has been undertaken on the front nine running along the Cowie valley.
The back nine sitting in woodland have all been cut out and framed – excavation and drainage works are needed, which they hope to complete by October. Working after October does not make sense due to issues such as silt run-off.
The golf course will be sand capped, which Mr Milne described as ‘exciting’ as it means it will be playable all-year-round. It is scheduled to open in April 2025 and be operated by IMG, whom Mr Milne described as having a strong reputation in the golf market.
(https://www.thebellman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Ury-Estate-Castle-and-Homes-1536x720.jpg)
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Think I've played that hole on the right about 100 times.
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The Golden Bear & The White Elephant: Inside Jack Nicklaus’ forgotten Scottish golf course
https://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/jack-nicklaus-ury-estate-aberdeenshire/