An Ayrshire businessman and cattle breeder is prepared to plough in as much as £100,000 to establish the region’s ‘market leader’ when it comes to glamping holidays.
Drongan businessman, William Kennedy, has submitted a planning application to South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission to build four glamping units and place a static caravan on agricultural fields near to Craigie Hill Quarry.
Mr Kennedy has owned the earmarked site since 2016.
The land currently has a storage shed and the fields have been used to breed highland cows.
According to a planning statement in support of blueprints, the initial set-up for the business, near the tiny village of Craigie, would be as much as £100,000, while the running costs are expected to be around £30,000 per year.
The business would run at a loss for the first two years, but in year three, projected profits are expected to be in the region of £28,400.
Architects, LMA, said in their planning statement: “The site offers a privileged location to enjoy the advantages of rural life and provide for the popular increase in demand for a staycation.
“With this proposal the applicant seeks to diversify the use of the site and provide rural enterprise through the provision of a rural tourism business within the unique setting in the countryside.
“The proposals seek to create a new access from the unclassified road to the glamping site and static caravan- as well as some parking.”
The plan would be to “recycle shipping containers” and repurpose them into glamping pods. The units will be used for holiday lets only.
The planning statement goes on: “The applicant wishes to create a holiday hideaway offering peace and tranquillity within the quiet countryside and rural life.
“Their vision is to be a market leader within Ayrshire for this unique type of accommodation, and to be marketed as a unique holiday experience in this context.
“It is their intention that these are permanent units and will be well maintained with an emphasis of good services and the quality of the stay.
“The excitement of staying in accommodation that is quirky, yet comfortable, adds to the magic of this holiday destination.”
The statement adds: “In addition to providing self-employment to the applicant, the project will also offer some longer term employment opportunities within the area and well as using local suppliers and businesses.
“The applicant hopes to foster business and enterprise within their local community.
“The area boasts many great attractions, and this business can form part of a cohesive and linked-up approach to tourism.”
The planning application relates to a patch of land near the A719 Junction at Adamhill, to the council boundary at Craigie and the proposals were validated this week on the South Ayrshire Council online planning portal.
South Ayrshire planners will rule on the plans at a future date.
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