Latest news with #StewartMilne
The Courier
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
48 new homes for Auchterarder – but A9 slip road rule means most can't be built
An Auchterarder housebuilder has won approval for another 48 new homes – but there's a catch. Muir Homes won't be allowed to construct the bulk of the properties until a controversial junction is built off the A9 at Shinafoot. Councillors unanimously approved two Muir Homes' planning applications for the Castlemains estate at Auchterarder. But they were told a long-standing legal agreement for the site is still in place. It requires developers to provide a new A9 junction and sports facilities for the fast-expanding town before any more houses can be built there. Muir Homes and Stewart Milne Homes previously won a Scottish Government appeal, permitting a single off-ramp and slip road at Shinafoot. That decision angered local campaigners, who say it should be an on-off ramp. And there's been no progress on the road, to the north-east of the town, since Stewart Milne's collapse. Muir Homes submitted plans to finish the Castlemains site late last year. It was left incomplete when Stewart Milne went bust. One application was for 38 two to five-bedroomed houses and four two-bedroomed flats on land 40 metres north of 51 Castle Drive. The second was for six four-bedroomed detached homes on land 90 metres north-west of Castlemains Farm Steading. It's not covered by the Shinafoot agreement. There were 25 letters of representation to the first application and 19 to the second. Concerns included road safety, noise, loss of view, and privacy. Objectors also noted that the previous obligations for the new A9 junction and playing fields have not been met. Perth and Kinross Council officer Sean Panton told the planning committee the block on housebuilding still stands. But he suggested the developer would likely be able to build 12 affordable units as part of the first application. 'There is an existing Section 75 legal agreement on this site which places a cap on the number of homes which can be built here until the Shinafoot junction and required sports facilities have been provided,' he said. 'Muir are aware of this requirement and will not be able to fully implement this application until such time that the legal requirements have been met.' A Shinafoot slip road would open the door for hundreds more homes in that area. Smaller housebuilders are still able to develop land for housing elsewhere in Auchterarder. Muir Homes' managing director Robert Herd welcomed the decision. 'Our commitment to Auchterarder extends beyond housing,' he said. 'We are investing tens of thousands of pounds in vital local projects like the community bus, as well as safeguarding the land to the northwest of Auchterarder for sports and recreational use in the future.' Mr Herd added: 'Muir Homes is keen to deliver these new private and affordable homes as quickly as possible to help address the current housing emergency, bringing new families to Auchterarder as well as providing new housing options for those who already live in the area.'
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Ex-Scottish football boss slashes huge £2.5m off price of 11-bed mansion as he struggles to find wealthy buyer
The couple have been trying to sell the property for two years LIVE LIKE DON Ex-Scottish football boss slashes huge £2.5m off price of 11-bed mansion as he struggles to find wealthy buyer BUILDING boss Stewart Milne has slashed a massive £2.5million off the asking price of his mansion home. Dalhebity House, near Aberdeen, comes with 11 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and 12 public rooms plus luxury amenities including an indoor swimming pool and all-weather tennis court. 7 Stewart Milne has slashed £2.5million from the price of his mansion home Credit: SNS Group 7 The huge property has been on sale for two years 7 Buyers will need to fork out £5million to move into the mansion 7 It comes with a stunning swimming pool and spa facilities The lavish Beverly Hills-style property is owned by former Aberdeen chairman Milne and his partner Joanna Robertson. It had been put on the market in May 2022 for £7.5million, but the couple have reduced the asking price to offers over £5million after struggling to find a wealthy buyer. The house offers a spa, cocktail bar, library and snooker room, and guests are welcomed with a grand entrance which estate agents Savills have labelled 'utterly breathtaking'. There is a marbled floored reception hall which is accompanied by 20 marble columns, a grand marble central sweeping horseshoe staircase and a domed stained glass cupola. The pad offers a steam room, Swedish sauna and a fabric panelled relaxation room as well as a 13.5m swimming pool. Both sit under an impressive glazed roof, and the gym is air-conditioned with windows overlooking the tennis court and garden. Dalhebity covers more than 30,000 sq ft and boasts high-end accommodation for staff, with housekeepers given an apartment which includes three en-suite bedrooms. Outside, there is a stunning lake, and the grounds have a triple garage, which includes a toilet and a workshop, guarded by high electric gates and finished in a European style with its cobbled driveway and fountain feature. Located at Bieldside on Deeside, Milne's mansion is situated just seven miles from Aberdeen International Airport. The original building had a history of hosting royalty as it was once the location of Princess Diana's grandmother's home. Stunning Scots hotel with jaw-dropping views and spa, right in the city centre The former Dons supremo owned the site for 25 years before completely replacing it with renovated plans. Fiona Gormley of Savills said: 'The sheer scale and finish of this sumptuous house is hugely impressive and yet the clever design and layout mean the space does not overwhelm: informal and supremely comfortable family rooms balance with wonderful entertaining areas. 'A modern-built house of this stature is utterly unique in Scotland, and it's an extraordinary achievement. "A new owner can be confident of a private setting and yet first-class airport and city accessibility too.' A modern-built house of this stature is utterly unique in Scotland, and it's an extraordinary achievement Fiona Gormley A brochure added: "This outstanding residence occupies a private south-facing position which is sheltered and surrounded by majestic trees in an enchanting setting. "The owners set out to create a mansion of distinction and one in which the beautiful setting can be fully appreciated." Milne joined the board of directors at Pittodrie in 1994 before becoming chairman in 1998. He spent over two decades in the position before announcing his exit from the role in November 2019. FIRM GOES BUST MILNE was chairman at Aberdeen FC for 21 years before he retired in 2019. He remains on the board. His construction firm, which went bust last year, was founded half a century ago in 1975. At the time it had just 30 employees and recorded a turnover of £1million in its first year. It was rocked by Covid and announced pre-tax losses in April of £71.5million for 2020. It notched up losses of £13.1million the following year before it reported profits of £16.5million in 2022. In April that year it was announced that Mr Milne was selling up because he wanted to retire. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family and would be dividing his time between homes in Aberdeen, Perthshire, Turkey and Florida. He was forced to call in administrators Teneo, and the firm's Adele MacLeod blamed the downturn in the housing market combined with the failure to find a buyer for the business. It comes a year after Milne's construction firm, The Stewart Milne Group, which was one of the country's largest house-building companies, collapsed. Over 200 jobs were lost when the firm plunged into administration in January 2024. It also meant construction work on projects across Scotland came to a halt, leaving many far from completion. At the time, the tycoon revealed the plug was pulled by the bank after his company was put on the market. He said: 'I am devastated by this totally unexpected outcome of the sale process. 'I'm struggling to accept it, given the profound impact it will have on employees, sub-contractors, suppliers and customers.' 7 The mansion is situated on 10 acres of land 7 There are several high-end classy bedrooms
Press and Journal
08-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Price of Stewart Milne's mansion reduced by £2.5 million after three years on market
Three years after it was first put up for sale, Stewart Milne's mansion in Aberdeen has been reduced in price by £2.5 million. Built in 2009, Dalhebity House in Bieldside went on the market in May 2022 with an initial asking price of offers over £7.5 million. The businessman is, however, still seeking a buyer, with the home now available for about £5 million. Boasting eight bedroom suites, four reception rooms and eight additional rooms, the home looks like it could easily be set in Beverly Hills rather than Aberdeen. It is owned by former Aberdeen FC chairman and businessman Stewart Milne and his partner Joanna. The original Dalhebity House was owned by Mr Milne for 25 years before it was completely rebuilt and was once home to the late Princess Diana's grandmother, Baroness Fermoy. As well as multiple bedroom suites and reception rooms, it also includes a heated indoor 13.5 metre swimming pool, spa and Swedish sauna, a cocktail bar, library, snooker room and tennis court. Large elongated windows, curved walls, turrets and French doors are among just a few of the features. Upon entering the home, people are met with a marble floored reception hall, which includes a sweeping marble staircase. As well as this, there are 20 marble columns and a domed, stained glass cupola. The formal banqueting-style dining room can seat 26 people. Dalhebity House also boasts a courtyard and comes with 10 acres of woodland. There is also housekeeper's accommodation, which includes three en suite bedrooms. Fiona Gormley of Savills – which is selling the property – said: 'The sheer scale and finish of this sumptuous house is hugely impressive. 'A modern-built house of this stature is utterly unique in Scotland and it's an extraordinary achievement.'
