Plans submitted to build 75-bedroom Kintyre hotel

Planning permission in principle is being sought for a 75-bedroom hotel, with 50 lodges, at Machrihanish.

Kintyre Development Company (KDC) has submitted the proposal for the site, on land adjacent to Machrihanish Golf Course, to Argyll and Bute Council.

KDC is a subsidiary of Southworth Development, which is the primary owner, developer and manager of the golf club, as well as The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown, and The Ugadale Hotel and The Old Clubhouse Pub and Restaurant in Machrihanish.

The plans, on which the council’s planning officers are expected to rule by late August, also include a restaurant and leisure hub, and a golf clubhouse.

As part of the planning process, the public can now view the plans and submit comments to the council.

In a design and access statement, planning agents GD Lodge Architects said: “The existing Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course sits within a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to the south-west of the

Kintyre peninsula on the west coast of Scotland.

“After opening in 2009, the Mach Dunes Golf Course is now recognised as an exemplar for sustainable management of golf, on a protected dune land site. This achievement is reinforced by having maintained its GEO Certification over subsequent years.

“There are now plans to expand the development with a second course including a built development parcel.

“The hotel block sits to the far north of the built development site in an L-shaped configuration around the main entrance/lift/stair core.

“Double and twin bedrooms are arranged along a central corridor with an accessible bedroom including ensuite provided at each level in close proximity to the lift core.

“A three-storey wing faces east and west to take advantage of views out over both golf courses whereas the two-storey wing facing north and south offers a reduced façade towards the A83 as it rounds Westport.

“The detached units have a one-and-a-half storey main block with open plan kitchen-living-dining at ground floor and two ensuite bedrooms at first floor. A single-storey leg at ground floor can accommodate a further one or two bedrooms.”

The statement added: “The clubhouse is the central hub for the site and incorporates guest check in and reception, golf clubhouse, restaurant and function room as well as pool, spa, plant and staff facilities.

“With such a large accommodation schedule, it is important that the building doesn’t dominate the site. For that reason the various uses are split in both plan and section.

“The larger public areas are located to the west side of the building and have areas of glazing that respond to the views and aspect.

“The pool, spa, gym and plant spaces are dug into a basement storey where there is less requirement for natural lighting. The south gable wall of the pool is glazed and opens out onto a sun terrace and infinity pool shaded below the building overhang created by the dining room above.”

View the plans at the council’s planning portal on argyll-bute.gov.uk, reference number 23/00273/PPP.

‘A three-storey wing faces east and west to take advantage of views out over both golf courses.’