PROPOSALS have been revealed for a mixed-use hotel and resort development on land at Shank of Omachie, located to the north and east of the village of Wellbank in Angus.
Brae of Angus will include a five-star Hyatt-branded luxury hotel – the first five-star hotel in Angus – and a Proposal of Application Notice has been submitted to Angus Council and key stakeholders, noting the intent to take forward a planning application following a period of pre-application consultation.
Covering approximately 310 acres, Brae of Angus is one of the most significant hospitality investments in Scotland in recent years, with a direct investment valued at approximately £480m.
The project should deliver considerable local employment opportunities during construction, operations, and supply chain services.
The emphasis on supporting communities through the local procurement of both services and products is a “fundamental focus” of the development and its commitment to the people of the area and the sustainability of the project.
The site was recently purchased by Angus Land Company Ltd (ALC) and is owned by the private investment company Mocca Capital, which is working in partnership with Castle Properties, an established international developer with a history of delivering similar successful mixed-use projects.
ALC has established working relationships with leading global brands and operators and continues to advance discussions toward final, binding management agreements.
Both Hyatt International and global marketing company, IMG, are actively engaged and supportive of the project through planning, build-out and operations.
The intention remains for Hyatt to operate the hotel and associated facilities and for IMG to manage the golf business, events and wider leisure offerings, subject to the necessary council consents.
The involvement of these leading global brands reflects confidence in Brae of Angus’s vision and its potential to deliver a high-quality, internationally recognised destination.
The vision for the proposed development has been developed in consultation with the major global brand operators and funders and will include:
- Various levels of tourist visitor accommodation operated by Hyatt, consisting of approximately 450 rooms in total. This accommodation includes a five-star luxury hotel (150 beds), four-bed luxury lodges, townhouse suites, and corporate fractional-ownership lodges. As part of the hotel development, on-site staff residences will be provided.
- An 18-hole championship golf course, previously designed by Scottish designer Graham Webster of Team Niblick, is retained. A state-of-the-art modern golf academy and training facility, including driving ranges and simulation programmes, will set a new benchmark for golf performance and training.
- A golf club, including a restaurant and bar facilities with changing rooms facilities, will further enhance the golfing experience.
- A country club will provide additional amenities, including a gym and various training areas, padel courtsand swimming pools for members and visitors.
- A modern spa with various treatment centres focused on longevity practices and wellness will further enhance the offerings on site.
- An events area has been planned to provide the ability to accommodate large events and functions on site. Special events, including “field-to-table” food and drink weekends, music events, and product launches, are just a few of the opportunities presented.
- A total of 185 housing plots will be on offer, on which houses will be built to form part of the various residential offerings.
The housing component is key to the ongoing success of the project, with the proceeds from the sales to be reinvested to cross-fund and support the tourist-focused elements, including the hotel, golf, and broader resort development.
The principle of the project’s development and acceptance has long been established, with a Masterplan permission granted historically that included a hotel, golf facilities, and a housing development.
The current proposal is an enhancement of this previously approved project, updating post-COVID trends and global market requirements to deliver a world-class destination.
The proposed development will be enhanced by a focused landscaping plan that incorporates water features, walking paths, and abundant new indigenous planting.
Site biodiversity will be enhanced through significant new landscaping and additional tree planting, which will also create walking and cycling routes.
Additionally, the development will be designed to incorporate the latest sustainable building principles, ensuring a low carbon footprint using sustainable materials and construction practices.
A leisure, hospitality and tourism industry training facility is proposed to provide career opportunities through training and education to local communities and the broader tourist industry in Scotland. This will include apprenticeships and focused onsite industry training programmes.
ALC is committed to recruiting and training a local workforce and is committed to enhancing relationships with local businesses to support local industries and supply chain providers.
As part of the statutory pre-application consultation process, meetings will be held prior to the submission of a planning application to Angus Council.
This includes two statutory public consultation events that will be held in Wellbank Village Hall on Monday, 27 April and Wednesday, 3 June.
A spokesperson for ALC said: “Located near the world-leading golf destination of Carnoustie, Brae of Angus brings together major global brand operators with a commitment to deliver a truly unique and sustainable resort integral to Angus’s golf destination eco-system. Our desire is to deliver a world-class destination and hospitality experience.
“The development represents one of the most significant hospitality investments in Scotland in recent years, with a projected investment of approximately £480m while delivering considerable local employment opportunities in both its construction and operations on completion.
“Brae of Angus includes a five-star luxury Hyatt hotel, the first in Angus, and will make a significant contribution to the local economy with the committed level of investment and job creation, providing a significant vote of confidence in the region.
“By further supporting local businesses, broader economic growth and development will be unlocked for the region.
“In delivering this project, the housing component is essential, with proceeds from these sales reinvested to cross-fund and support the tourist-focused elements, including the hotel, golf, and broader resort development.
“We welcome the opportunity to meet and engage with the local communities to present our exciting proposals, including at our forthcoming public consultation events.”
