Plans have been lodged to turn an area of land with connections to Robert Burns into a luxury glamping site.
Four glamping pods are being earmarked for a 8,961 sq. m site at Willie’s Mill, Tarbolton in South Ayrshire.
The site was the home of Robert Burns’ friend William Muir and the mill is mentioned in Burns’ famed poem, ‘Death and Doctor Hornbook.’
Burns is said to have hidden Jean Armour at the Mill when she fell pregnant out of wedlock.
According to the proposals, the current landowner wants to build four glamping units and install a parking area, along with footpaths and associated works. Behind the proposals are agents Glampitect and the applicant is Greg Scott.
In its design statement, Glampitect said the proposals are for a total of four “bespoke renovated units” for guest glamping along with a parking/turning area and recycling/waste area.
The statement continues: “The client intends to propose one parking bay per hut, with extra parking for maintenance vehicles. Also intended are associated footpaths and landscaping of the site.”
All units would be manufactured “on-site” and renovated by the owners of the land.
The agents say each proposed unit will be made up from a “refurbished static caravan” that would have “otherwise have gone to a landfill”, and that the owner intends to carry out the work themselves, which would help “lower emissions.”
The statement goes on: “Using older caravan units to be renovated is a part of the design to reduce the energy required for the completion of the proposal. Not requiring the shells of the units to be produced new enhances the recycling process on the site, therefore lowering the energy usage required to build traditional glamping units.”
Solar power has been “considered”, and although not a part of this application, is “being considered” for the future of the development.
If given the green light, the glamping units will be “generously spaced” to give each visitor a “good amount of privacy” for social distancing and to “control the carry of sound”.
The agents say the proposed development would also fill a gap in the tourist market.
They said: “There is little presence in the area offering this kind of luxury bespoke caravan accommodation giving guests exclusive facilities.
“The closest ‘Glamping Style’ site is Bridge House Glamping, with the majority of nearby accommodation offering no bespoke units within their experiences. Therefore, we feel the site would be providing a positive high-quality, exciting new experience for visitors to the area.”
The plans are listed as “pending consideration” on the South Ayrshire Council online planning portal.
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