Aberdeenshire Council approved the £40m development at Ury Estate, Stonehaven in the summer of 2008. The scheme involved a championship golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus as the centrepiece for a luxury housing and leisure development. The plans included a hotel, 230 houses and the redevelopment of historic Ury House.
The project had to be shelved when Edinburgh-based FM Developments put seven of its subsidiaries into administration, including the division responsible for the Nicklaus project.
At the time Fraser Gray, one of the administrators, said they were firmly committed to exploring the future options available. “This development has received strong support from local stakeholders and, with this in mind, we will be assessing the best way forward over the coming weeks,” he said.
It is now reported that the estate has been sold to a new company, FM Ury, which has been established by a former director of FM Developments.
For Nicklaus Design Scott Tolley, Vice President, Corporate Communications said: “We at Nicklaus Design, including Mr. Nicklaus, are pleased to have been provided with the opportunity to resume our association with the Ury Estate project inScotland.
“Mr. Nicklaus has visited the site several times, and we believe that this special piece of property can be developed into an extraordinary golf course. Nicklaus Design looks forward to the opportunity to create a memorable golf experience that will hopefully add to the storied golf heritage of Scotland, and one of which the people of Aberdeen will be proud.”
Nicklaus Design www.nicklaus.com