A leisure group's chief executive has described Scotland's planning system as a "major frustration" and called for laws to be overhauled.

David Guile, of Macdonald Hotels, is awaiting a final decision on the £80m Aviemore Highland Resort extension plans which include improvements to the complex, a new supermarket and 160 houses.

The government intervened in the planning process with ministers contacting environment bosses and the chief planner after Macdonald Hotels threatened to the scrap plans because of delays caused by concerns over flooding risk assessments.

Labour Minister Andy Kerr voiced concerns because the developer previously made a £30,000 donation to the SNP.


The planning permission decision remains with the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

David Guile told the BBC Radio Scotland: "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.

"There is much less willingness to provide co-operation and support and the applications are protracted and cumbersome."

Mr Guile said the Aviemore project was only half finished and the company was losing money because of the delays.

"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."

Speaking to the BBC 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."

(GK/JM)