South Ayrshire Local Plan

Tourism

Tourism is recognised as being a vital and traditional element of the South Ayrshire economy. An aim of this Local Plan is to maximise tourism potential whilst recognising the importance of environmental sustainability. Accordingly, the Council has adopted a positive approach which encourages and directs development and activity to areas best able to sustain visitor pressure, where potential environmental problems will be minimal.

A balanced approach to tourism development is required to ensure new development does not compromise the environmental objectives set out in the Plan and that existing facilities are upgraded and managed as appropriate.

POLICY TOUR1*

The Council will favourably view proposals which will provide or improve tourist and leisure facilities.

Tourism Accommodation

The Council seeks to encourage an increase in the current level of over-night trips, which are estimated to generate more income per visitor within the wider local economy than day trips to the area. Accommodation for this type of visitor has traditionally been provided by hotel or bed and breakfast establishments and the more formal, organised centres such as Craig Tara. However, recent trends indicate an increasing preference for high quality, self-catering accommodation which is less prevalent in South Ayrshire, and more upper quality range hotel accommodation. The provision of conference facilities with hotel accommodation will be encouraged

Traditional small bed and breakfast and hotel establishments will continue to be of importance to the seasonal tourist trade, and proposals for such uses will be encouraged by the Council.

POLICY TOUR2^

The Council will encourage proposals for tourist accommodation which are in accordance with the coastal strategy and which would improve the standards and appearance of existing self catering or touring caravan/camping sites, and will normally permit the development of new sites subject to:

a) All new accommodation being restricted for holiday use only; and

b) The proposal is suitably screened and appropriate in terms of the landscape setting and its design; and

c) The proposal does not represent isolated or sporadic development.

NOTE
This policy relates to newly proposed sites and to proposed extensions to existing sites.

Static caravan sites and other forms of self catering holiday accommodation can be highly visible and do not normally integrate well with their surroundings. The Council will ensure sites are more effectively screened by attaching appropriate conditions to any planning consents it may grant for existing or new sites.

Tourist Facilities and Attractions

South Ayrshire has a number of high quality visitor attractions and leisure facilities. However it is considered that there is considerable scope to diversify opportunities further, especially with regard to activities and attractions which would assist in lengthening the tourist season, or capitalise on specific marketable themes such as the importance of Ayrshire in the life and work of Robert Burns. Such development may also assist in spreading the benefit of economic activity derived from tourism.

The value of tourist resources is recognised by the Council, both in terms of an image for South Ayrshire, and also the contribution to the local economy. As such, the Council will seek to protect and encourage the improvement of these resources wherever possible.

POLICY TOUR3^

There shall be a presumption in favour of the retention and improvement of existing significant leisure, recreation and tourist facilities.

In addition to the recognition of Robert Burns, South Ayrshire has an enviable international reputation for many golf courses, two of which (Turnberry and Royal Troon) regularly stage the Open Championship. The Turnberry Hotel, leisure facilities and golf courses are a major local employer and generate an economic benefit to a wide area, particularly so when it hosts the Open Championship.

POLICY TOUR4^

The Council will safeguard existing golf courses and will encourage the development and improvement of golf facilities. Proposals which the Council considers may adversely affect the status of Turnberry and Royal Troon as venues for the Open Championship will not generally be permitted.

New Commercial Leisure Developments

Historically, leisure facilities such as swimming pools, cinemas, sports or dance halls have been located within town centres. As a national trend, developers and leisure facility operators have increasingly viewed out of centre locations as being preferable, to allow easier site conditions for the construction of larger scale facilities with adjacent car parking. This, in many cases, has resulted in the relocation of facilities and the vacation of town centre sites.

It is considered that out-of-centre locations for leisure development may seriously disadvantage those who rely on public transport and may ultimately deny town centres the variety of uses which contribute to their character, identity and function as a focus of activity, especially in the evening.

In order to ensure the continued vitality of town centres and encouragement of a lively mix of activities throughout the day in these locations, the Council will direct major leisure development proposals to town centre locations and seek to safeguard the continued use of established large scale town centre leisure facilities for leisure and recreational purposes.

POLICY TOUR5#

There shall be a presumption in favour of large scale commercial leisure developments being located in the existing town centres of Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Girvan and Maybole. Where there is no alternative site in, or adjacent to a town centre, developments outside existing centres, but still within settlements may be acceptable where convenient and frequent public transport is available, and it is demonstrated that there would be no detrimental impact on the vitality or viability of a town centre.