Plans to put luxury camping pods in an historic Midlothian parkland have been lodged by a hotel chain.
Owners of Dalhousie Castle and Spa, Robert Parker Collection Hotels, want to base a dozen of the tourist pods in its grounds.
They say the move will secure the future of the Category A listed castle as a hotel by providing more accommodation to meet demand at the site.
The proposals include 10 pods with a floor space of 30 square metres and two family pods with 40 square metres on the edge of a river meadow known as Anna Park.
The parkland surround Dalhousie Castle was until 2016 include by Historic Environment Scotland on its register of Gardens and Landscapes.
It was described by renowned Scottish botanist J.C.Loudon in the 19th century as “extensive and romantic pleasure grounds’ and its romantic design of the trees and pastures is illustrated in a painting by Nasmyth.
A business plan submitted by the hotel group, which specialises in taking on castles and country houses, says it will benefit both the hotel itself and the local economy.
In a statement to planners, the company says: “In summary the proposal is to develop future potential for an extended offering at Dalhousie Castle to realise known demand for further accommodation.
“In doing so, to secure the future of the castle as a hotel, to provide local employment opportunities, positively influence the local economy and to protect the historically important asset.”
The company describes its sector of the hospitality market as vital in preserving historical properties in Scotland and the UK that are no longer sustainable as private residences.
It said: “With many country houses, 25 to 35 bedrooms tends to be the limit of bed spaces that can be accommodated within the settings of the traditional building and often stables, courtyard and other outbuildings, are utilised.
“This number of bedrooms, while offering an intimate experience, is very difficult to operate profitably.
“There simply is not enough revenue opportunities to cover the kitchen, housekeeping operational costs and importantly, overheads, especially when you are occupying a 13th Century castle.
“It is a very expensive building to keep maintained. As owners, RPC take their responsibility for stewardship of Dalhousie Castle very seriously. We are determined to ensure its viability for the long term , while protecting its historical fabric.”
The application is available to view on the Midlothian planning portal here.
by Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency: funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector, and used by qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency. It is funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector (in Edinburgh that is Reach plc (the publisher behind Edinburgh Live and The Daily Record) and used by many qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover news about top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.
