A Proposal of Application Notice for an Eco-Therapy Wellness Park, located on the site of the former Barony Colliery, has been submitted to East Ayrshire Council.
This heralds the intent by Barony National Pride (NP) to submit a new application for planning permission in principle, following a minimum 12-weeks of public consultation.
An Environmental Impact Assessment, required by the local council, will be submitted as part of the application, together with evidential geotechnical and engineering information. This will focus specifically on the suitability of the ground conditions of the bing, for the development of lightweight guest accommodation and facilities.
Allocated for recreational and leisure uses by East Ayrshire Council, Barony Wellness is proposed to be one of the first nature-based wellbeing destination in Europe, incorporating managed planting of Scottish flora to increase biodiversity.
Local public consultation events will be held, with the first on 27 June at Ochiltree Community Hub, and the second at the beginning of August, at a venue to be confirmed.
The proposed non-exclusive health and wellness destination should stimulate local economic growth and encourage significant inward investment, creating around 400 local jobs, with many more in the business supply chain, where priority will be given to local trades and businesses.
Local trades, crafts and businesses will be encouraged to showcase their services, especially those using natural ingredients grown on site.
A mining heritage museum is proposed for the former coal site, paying tribute to the industry and those that worked in the mine, especially those who suffered injury or who lost their lives. Barony NP plans to support the Barony A-Frame Trust with its future plans.
The development will also aim to incorporate the latest in renewable energy technology, including geo-thermal energy from the warm mine water beneath the surface.
A proportion of the profits accrued from the development by National Pride UK CIC will be reinvested back into community wellbeing projects and to support NHS student training.
Irene Bisset, chair of National Pride UK, commented: “We are delighted to be progressing this planning application and to provide reassurance on the ground conditions through an Environmental Impact Assessment.
“The Eco-Therapy Wellness Park will serve to enhance the biodiversity of the currently unmanaged site and deliver considerable investment and employment opportunities in East Ayrshire, in what we believe will be the first true nature-based wellbeing destination in Europe.
“We look forward to engaging with the local community as we progress these exciting proposals.”
The social enterprise company revealed its initial plans around this time in 2021, for the site at Auchinleck.
The organisation purchased the 108 acre site from Hargreaves Land in July 2020, following similar deals for the St Ninians and Loch Fitty sites in Fife.
Don't miss the latest headlines with our twice-daily newsletter - sign up here for free.
