Ann Gloag also owns Kinfauns Castle in Perthshire

Highland councillors who went for a site visit on Monday were at first refused access to the estate.

Planning officials had recommended that councillors oppose the bid and said the details were "insufficient".

But the developer said officials had not given access to vital information and pledged to resubmit the plans.

The council received 15 letters of objection including ones from the local community council, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Highland Cycle Campaign, Garden History Society, Historic Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

The applicants chose to withdraw the application thereby bringing the site visit and the meeting to an unexpected close Highland Council

Two letters opposing the proposed development were also sent by the 16th Lord Lovat, stockbroker Simon Fraser, who was forced to sell his inheritance 10 years ago to pay off family debts.

Lord Lovat, who has vowed to buy back the estate, owns a lodge and a bungalow on the edge of the grounds.

He was angry about plans to turn the castle and estate, which his family had owned for several generations, into a sporting and holiday haven.

Members of Highland Council's planning committee went to Beaufort on Monday with the intention of holding a site visit to help them come to a decision.

Access refused

A consortium which includes Stagecoach tycoon Mrs Gloag and Inverness-based construction company Tulloch proposed to build a golf course, hotel and 81 lodges in the grounds of the A-listed castle.

However, representatives of the consortium initially refused councillors access to the estate before allowing them a few yards inside the gates.

In a statement issued afterwards, a council spokesman said the authority had repeatedly asked for more information from the applicants.

Highland Council planners had recommended the application be refused

He said: "Unfortunately, in this case, the application details have always been insufficient.

"The planners and the statutory consultees could only base their assessment on the details provided.

"Moreover, the concerns raised by the local community remain unanswered.

"The applicants were repeatedly requested to provide further relevant information which was not forthcoming."

The statement added: "Upon the committee's arrival on site, the applicants requested a deferral on a technicality.

Not available

"However, before the committee had an opportunity to formally consider this request, the applicants chose to withdraw the application, thereby bringing the site visit and the meeting to an unexpected close."

Tulloch chairman David Sutherland said: "The planning application from Beaufort Golf and Leisure Club has been withdrawn today as vital information we were entitled to see was not made available to us by council officers.