Douglas eco-hotel plan takes a step forward
The proposed development known as the Douglas Stone Wall Hotel has come a step closer with an application for planning permission being lodged with North Ayrshire Council. The 59 additional hotel rooms, spread over eight buildings, which include landscaping and site redevelopment, has been submitted on behalf of the Douglas Hotel by Peter Brett Associates, which delivers major development and infrastructure projects.
Spanning an area from the Strathwhillan Burn along the A841 towards Lamlash, the development includes working in an area with tree preservation orders as well as challenging topography and a burn running through the site. Extensive documentation has been submitted, taking these factors into account and which total in excess of 30 drawings, topographical surveys, ecological appraisals, geo-environmental reports, a habitat survey along with various tree surveys, and arboricultural assessments.
The ambitious eco-hotel plan, which was first unveiled by the Banner last November, has already seen months of pre-planning work by Danish architects Norron, who envisage a modern version of the 12 Apostles of Catacol as part of the development.
The development will be the first glimpse of Arran that visitors will see as they exit from the ferry terminal and will include a new ‘Welcome to Arran’ sign which will be incorporated into the existing Victorian era stone wall which will be preserved as much as possible.
As well as the 12 twostorey hotel rooms, with angled views over Brodick Bay and Goatfell beyond, the development will feature 47 smaller rooms in a further eight larger blocks and a new river walk which will become an improved and more scenic start to the Arran Coastal Way.
Neighbour notifications have been issued by the planning department and the process of receiving input from the various governmental and community organisations, along with SEPA, roads and many others, is now under way.