Holiday park plan at 18th Century Canonbie country mansion

Plans have been lodged to create a holiday park with more than 140 lodges at an 18th Century country mansion in southern Scotland.

The project would also see the conversion and extension of Irvine House near Canonbie – which dates back to 1792.

An economic impact statement for the applicants – Buccleuch Estates – said it could create about 36 full-time jobs once complete and nearly 40 during construction.

It added that the project could contribute about £3.4m per year to the local economy once it was up and running.

Irvine House is located midway between Langholm and Canonbie on the west bank of the River Esk.

It was examined as a possible site for a new country house for the Duke of Buccleuch in 1783 but the designs were never built.

Instead, a “more modest” building was constructed in about 1792 for Capt George Maxwell.

The house was remodelled in 1836 by Edinburgh architect William Burn for Alexander Harley Maxwell, chamberlain for the Duke of Buccleuch’s Eskdale and Liddesdale estates.

The plans would see the repair and adaptation of the house to become a welcome centre and holiday accommodation.

In total, 143 holiday lodges would also be constructed on the surrounding land if the proposals submitted to Dumfries and Galloway Council are approved.

Ed Morris, Buccleuch’s Borders Estate director, said they had been encouraged by “positive feedback” from the community to the plans.

“We have been working to bring the best scheme forward for Irvine House,” he said.

“Our proposals include development of the site to include 143 holiday lodges, designs for renovations of outbuildings and the transformation of Irvine House, currently uninhabited, into a visitor welcome centre and café.

“It is estimated that the holiday accommodation at Irvine House could bring up to 106,000 visitor nights annually and has the potential to make a significant economic impact within the local community and wider Dumfries and Galloway community.”