MORE than 1000 jobs could be created through ambitious plans for a £450m leisure, tourism and residential development at the former Loudoun Castle theme park.
The developer behind Belfast’s iconic Titanic Quarter is in advanced talks to take a major role which would breath new life into the site near Kilmarnock.
READ MORE: Remember Loudoun Castle? The derelict theme park looks very different now
Owners of the historic Loudoun Castle estate, site located in the heart of Ayrshire are hopeful that a commercial deal with Harcourt Developments can be concluded very soon. If successful, the arrangement will mean that the developer becomes a key part of the consortium behind the proposed redevelopment of the site.
Harcourt has indicated that, subject to a contract being put in place, the grant of a planning permission in principle would allow Loudoun Estate to become its next flagship project.
The Loudoun Woods consortium aims to transform the 576-acre Loudoun estate into a world-class tourism and leisure development, the first of its type in Scotland.
The A-listed Loudoun Castle is proposed to be restored along with the designed landscape and gardens. The current planning application also seeks permission for the Castle’s ultimate potential conversion to a new luxury hotel. The restored castle will become a central feature of the development.
READ MORE: Remember Loudoun Castle? The derelict theme park looks very different now
The Loudoun Woods’ outline planning application also envisages luxury holiday lodges, camping and a range of indoor sports facilities, including a tropical swimming lagoon.
A new community consisting of approximately 1,000 energy-efficient homes will be a key component of the development. It will provide the necessary funding for the stabilisation and restoration of the castle.
The planning application for the Loudoun Woods Resort has been “called in” for determination by Scottish Ministers due to the potential national economic benefit. The inquiry will begin in Kilmarnock on October 23.
The Loudoun Woods consortium is headed by international leisure and investment expert David Mace, who founded the Sea Life concept in the UK and has served as a director on the boards of several leading leisure companies.
READ MORE: Remember Loudoun Castle? The derelict theme park looks very different now
He said: “Loudoun Castle will be an all-weather, world-class holiday destination, which will attract visitors from all over the UK, create major economic benefits for Ayrshire and become a core part of Scotland’s tourism offering.
“The fact that Harcourt is considering becoming part of the Loudoun Woods consortium and making a significant investment in Scotland, speaks volumes for the quality and international scope of what we are planning.
“We are looking forward to the planning inquiry and, given a positive decision by Scottish Ministers, we are aiming to begin works in the summer of 2018 on a project that will transform the economy of this part of Scotland.”
If Scottish Ministers grant permission for the development in principle, it is hoped that stabilisation work on the castle could begin as early as summer of 2018.
READ MORE: Remember Loudoun Castle? The derelict theme park looks very different now
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