Campbell Inns has now been given the green light to turn the former Belleisle mansion building in Ayr into an upmarket hotel complete with spa. John and Senga Campbell bought the mansion in June 2012, and have spent the last two years attempting to get permission from planners and Historic Scotland, who suggested that their plans, which included a controversial new extension, complete with pool, would ruin the historic building.
Their plans however did get support from locals including ‘Friends of Belleisle’. John Campbell told DRAM, “It’s been a hard struggle but we have finally got there. We had a lot of hoops to jump through and we needed to persuade Historic Scotland of the things we needed to do to make it a viable business proposition. Since we started the process the project has grown and grown and the Friends of Belleisle were very supportive.”
John continues, “The new Belleisle Mansion Hotel & Spa, when completed, will feature 82 guest bedrooms and suites, its own state-of-the-art spa and 20m indoor swimming pool, we will offer a gym membership for locals, a ballroom with the capacity for up to 400 guests, as well as a conference facility for 200, and three restaurants.”
The plans also include a new grand staircase, reception and lounge.
John concludes, “We are currently in for building warrants and we hope to get them through September/October and get building work started in the Autumn. We are planning to open in Spring 2016 in time for the British Open at Royal Troon.”
