Alan Carr's plan for Scottish Borders castle given boost by heritage officers
Alan Carr has been given a boost in his plans for his Berwickshire castle after being praised for ‘rescuing a derelict historic building’.
The comedian and Celebrity Traitors winner has been renovating Ayton Castle since he bought it for £3.25 million.
But there were fears a scheme to change a former potting shed and buildings into a community cafe and estate shop could have hit the buffers - over the potential of roosting bats.
He has now received strong support from heritage officers at Scottish Borders Council who backed his proposal and described it as a "positive and practical" redevelopment.
The plans - the first to be submitted since his purchase - has seen the heritage and design team recommend approval of the project with conditions attached to the materials used.
It said the proposed repair and reuse of the buildings was welcome and described the plans as an "appropriate use" for this part of the estate.
They added it offered a "credible means of securing investment, continued occupation and future maintenance".
"The proposal would also allow visitors to appreciate the relationship between the potting sheds and walled garden," the response added.
"The intention to support the garden's longer-term restoration is welcomed, although the present applications should be assessed on the works and conservation benefits they would themselves deliver."
It concluded that the plans would - subject to appropriate conditions - "preserve the architectural and historic interest of the listed complex and the character of its designed landscape setting".
The council's archaeology officer has also come down in favour of the scheme.
The council's roads planning department, however, has requested further information and a revised parking plan before it can support the application.
A full assessment around the presence of bats has now been ordered to be carried out by council officers before the application can proceed. These would be required to be undertaken between May and September.
The castle, near Berwick, boasts 17 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a five-storey Great Tower, turrets, a private chapel and 106-acre listed gardens.
In response, Carr's representatives said a full survey was being carried out and a full report on the outcome will be submitted once it is complete.