Plans for a water park near Dumfries have been approved by the council.
The Lochthorn Leisure Park site, on Auchencrieff Loch at Locharbriggs, has been called a “hidden gem” by those behind the proposals.
According to the submissions to the council, the creation of the attraction will offer paddle boarding, an inflatable aqua park and cable wake boarding.
Applicants Simon Underwood and Kelly Smith said they wanted to “protect, regenerate, conserve and maintain” the area and wildlife which has been targeted by vandals and fly-tippers.
The duo are water sport enthusiasts and say their vision is to create a space where people can learn about the environment as well as enjoying themselves on the loch.
Their submission stated: “The loch is a hidden gem with some real inherent beauty, but it has also been plagued by litter, fly-tippers and negative behaviour over the years.We want to protect, regenerate, conserve and maintain the woodland and loch, the habitats and wildlife.
“Over time we want to develop the educational and recreational potential of the site and to increase the involvement of the community and others.”
British Water Ski and Wakeboard issued a supporting statement for the scheme. The governing body said: “There are no other cable wakeboard sites in that location in Scotland, and only a handful of cable parks in Scotland as a whole. This reduces the opportunity for local people to participate in the sport.
“The proposed development is in line with BWSW’s strategy for increasing access to the sport via the increase in cable tow facilities.”
It added that the project “will provide a great asset to both the grassroots and elite channels of our sport, as well as the surrounding communities.”
Eight representations were made on the plans, four supporting and four objecting.
The applicants say it would both create new jobs and attract tourists to the area.
