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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sarah Hilley

The £12.5 million plans to rebuild historic South Ayrshire mansion

Council officials have produced three options to resurrect the ruined former Belleisle hotel costing £12.5 million each. 

The ideas include finding a firm to lease the Ayr building and convert it into a hotel once more in partnership with the council.  A golf academy could be another possibility. 

 South Ayrshire Council is unlikely to sell the B-listed landmark again after bosses were forced  to buy it back for £154,000 from a developer when building work stalled.

The council was just about to sign the deal to purchase the hotel when it was destroyed by a fire accidentally started by developer John Campbell and other workers. 

It is now back in the hands of the council after they eventually acquired it in June. 

Historic Environment Scotland is opposed to any demolition so a refurbishment plan would involve rebuilding the shell.

Back to Belleisle: How it looked in 2012 - the year it was sold by the council (Ayrshire Post)

One possibility would see the entire hotel built within the walls of the current ruin. 

The other two options involve a new build to the north alongside refurbishment of the shell.

The hotel would have about 20 bedrooms and a function room to host 200 people according to a council paper.

All the options cost about £12.5 million.

Bygone glory: The interior of Belleisle Hotel (Ayrshire Post)

The future of the lodge house is also to be decided. 

Ruling SNP and Labour councillors are due to consider the matter at a Leadership Panel on Tuesday  September 15. 

Officials are proposing specialists consultants are hired to invite bids from private firms interested in taking on the project. 

Councillors are due to make a decision on whether consultants should be appointed at the meeting. 

A council paper said: “Given the amount of the estimated cost to redevelop the building, it is envisaged that a jointly funded model would be required comprising both council and private finance. A lease arrangement would also likely be required to be established that looks to protect both the council and private partner interest. This would be as opposed to any outright sale that demonstrably failed previously.”

Belleisle Hotel, the lodge and 2.11 acres of land were first sold by the council in 2012. 

Businessman John Campbell announced plans to convert it into a five star venue at the time.

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