A planning application has been submitted to East Ayrshire Council for an eco-therapy wellness park, which would be located on the site of the former Barony Colliery near Auchinleck.
With a development tipped to assist in tackling the climate emergency by showcasing the latest in renewable energy technology, developers said it is ‘highly appropriate’ to submit it during the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.
If approved, the Barony Eco-Therapy Wellness Park will occupy 108.8 acres. The plans are being driven by Barony NP (UK) Limited, a joint venture company between National Pride UK and IntroCrowd.
Barony Wellness will provide active health and mental relaxation facilities, including a spa, gym, pool areas, indoor and outdoor exercise, craft activities, and overnight accommodation.
Further amenities aim to include a small distillery, using ingredients grown on site, and a mining heritage museum.
The Barony NP (UK) Limited completed the purchase of the site from Hargreaves Land in July 2020.
The Barony project is centred around a carbon sink, which absorbs more carbon from the atmosphere than it releases.
Irene Bisset, chair of National Pride UK, said, “We are incredibly excited to be submitting the planning application for Barony Wellness to East Ayrshire Council. At The Barony visitors can expect a safe, restful and enlivening environment in which to relax, rejuvenate and be healthy in mind and body, developing their mental and physical strength and personal resilience.
“We are also committed to create a destination that will provide significant community benefits to the area. Given COP26 it is also highly appropriate that we are delivering a development that is assisting in tackling the climate emergency, aiming to showcase the latest in renewable energy technology.
“Throughout the process we have engaged extensively with the local community and the support we have received to date for our proposals has been amazing.”
