Holiday homes plan for the Ailsa Craig

Three old cottages on Ailsa Craig could be refurbished to create holiday homes for the owner’s family if plans get the go-ahead.

The beautiful island, which is a bird sanctuary, would be a very peaceful getaway sitting 10 miles off the South Ayrshire coast.

It is understood Bobby Sandhu, who bought the lighthouse keepers’cottages many years ago, has applied for permission to make repairs and alterations to the B-listed buildings.

The cottages sit beside the automated lighthouse that dates back to 1886.

Proposed work on the historic buildings would include installing new doors, windows and insulation of the houses.

Plans include new kitchens and bathrooms being fitted.

A design report from Wellwood Leslie Architects said:“It is proposed to carry out the alteration and refurbishment of the three cottages to create holiday homes for the owner’s extended family.”

Other proposals would see solar panels fitted at the rear of the site to provide power to the three houses, back-up battery storage and an emergency standby generator.

Water would be sourced from a spring or borehole and would likely be treated according to the design report.

The document said heating and hot water would be provided through air to water air source heat pumps.

Potential visitors would be treated to underfloor heating.

The windswept island properties would also benefit from backup electric heater plans in the event of extremely cold conditions.

The design report said:“Although not derelict, the existing cottages are in need of external repair and internal renovation.”

South Ayrshire Council is considering the application.