Barrier to Dumfries and Galloway holiday park's expansion bid removed

A barrier to the expansion of a holiday park has finally been removed.

Swalwell Holiday Group has been attempting to add 30 caravans to Auchenlarie Holiday Park near Gatehouse for more than a decade.

But although planning permission was granted in 2010, a requirement to carry out road upgrades has proved an obstacle to the development.

However, Transport Scotland have now said an upcoming “route review” means they, rather than the park owners, will be responsible for funding improvements.

Swalwell Holiday Group, owned by the Swalwell family, had originally tried to add 50 caravans to the popular site but that was rejected by the council in 2009.

The following year, they were given permission for 30 new caravans – but three of the attached conditions included road improvements, making the upgrade financially unviable.

However, a recent letter from Transport Scotland reveals that the organisation will be carrying out a review of the A75 which will “specifically include this section”.

It adds: “Any schemes coming from this review would be brought forward and funded by Transport Scotland and therefore it would not be appropriate, in this instance, to include a condition relating to improvements to the trunk road.”

As a result, the council has agreed the work can go ahead without the Swalwells having to comply with the road upgrade conditions.