PLANS are emerging for a major holiday lodge development between Canonbie and Langholm.
Buccleuch Estates want to put 150 timber lodges in the grounds of Irvine House, midway between the two communities and alongside the banks of the River Esk.
Describing the vision, a statement says: “The rural estates business model is not sustainable in its current form; it cannot generate enough revenue over the year for Buccleuch to fund its stewardship obligations.
“Further investment is therefore needed to broaden the commercial offer and to promote year-round footfall to a wider demographic, with longer dwell time.
“Holiday lodge accommodation at Irvine House offers an important opportunity for the rural estates to invest in a currently underutilised asset, taking advantage of the property’s accessibility and the natural beauty of its surrounding countryside.
“A range of new facilities will attract visitors in all conditions and result in a commercially sustainable visitor attraction.”
They stress it will be “developed sympathetically” and of “appropriate scale”, as well as providing a boost to the local economy and new jobs.
MDS Estates, which owns Buccleuch, have submitted a proposal of application notice with Dumfries and Galloway Council and will hold a public consultation in the Buccleuch Centre in Langholm next Thursday, November 7, from 3 pm.
