Surely NE Scotland, Deeside, and Banchory in particular, need more hotel and guest house accommodation than currently exists, not less.

The planning department recently approved the provision of new guest house accommodation in this area, which implies they and the Scottish Tourist Board have the view that additional hotel and guest house accommodation is appropriate and necessary.

It therefore seems wrong to lose a particularly grand and well-maintained hotel in such a prime location.

Being employed by one of the larger companies in Aberdeen, I know how often we find it difficult to obtain accommodation for our out of town visitors.

Losing the hotel is surely wrong, because the town will continue to grow and will need more facilities, not less.

The undoubted increase of traffic will create additional road safety issues at the junctions to the already busy Deeside Road (A93).

Only two weeks ago there was a bad accident at the bend adjacent to one of the entrances to the hotel; a significant increase of traffic in and out of the site must surely increase the likelihood of further road incidents.

The A93 runs east west and both the morning sun and the evening sun make this part of the road particularly hazardous.

Last week the council posted correspondence (but no details) on their website dated 24 December, 2007 revealing that there is a proposed Phase 2 comprising a housing development along the lower area between the hotel and the main road and also revealed the proposed removal of at least 61 trees.

The Phase 1 proposals are already too large, extending the entire width of the site, and rising above the existing height of the hotel building.

The Victorian building is one of the finest in Banchory, and should be kept for as long as is practicable.

Phase 2 will destroy for ever the space that helps create the character that makes Banchory so attractive.

I am sure there are plenty of capable hoteliers who, given the opportunity, could profitably turn the Tor na Coille into an attractive appealing venue for visitors and locals alike.

Yours etc
Derek Brown
Inchmarlo Road
Banchory