The former Failford Inn in Mauchline is to be converted into two self-contained holiday accommodation units after proposals were approved by South Ayrshire Council.
The pub permanently stopped trading and closed its doors in 2024 after struggling in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and rising operational costs.
Approval Despite Objections
The proposals, which sought change of use permission to form tourist accommodation, were approved under delegated powers at the council despite eight objections.
The agent in the proposals is Malcolm Boyd, of Cumnock, and the applicant is Ayr-based Wood Property Group.
Refurbishment Plans
The plan is to turn the property into two self contained holiday accommodation units. The former public house and restaurant accommodation at ground-floor level will be converted to holiday accommodation, with the existing first-floor flat forming the second self-contained unit.
A supporting statement said: "The proposal seeks to secure an appropriate and sustainable long-term future for an established building which has historically formed part of the tourism and hospitality function of Failford.
"The development will retain and comprehensively refurbish the existing building, with the former public house and restaurant accommodation at ground-floor level converted to holiday accommodation and the existing first-floor flat forming the second self-contained accommodation unit.
"The proposal should therefore be considered in the context of the regeneration, adaptation and continued productive use of an established tourism and hospitality property, rather than as the introduction of a new or unrelated land use into Failford."
Future Use
The supporting statement noted that the inn had experienced successful periods and had historically been well regarded, but its recent history demonstrated the practical difficulty of securing a stable and sustainable long-term future through continued operation as a conventional rural public house and restaurant.
The proposed accommodation will be directed towards visitors seeking to stay within rural Ayrshire, including couples, families, walkers, cyclists and visitors exploring the River Ayr, Burns Country and the wider South Ayrshire area.
In approving the proposals, with conditions, council papers read: "The Planning Authority acknowledges the concerns raised by local residents regarding the loss of the former public house and the role that such facilities can play within smaller communities.
"However, the proposed development would secure the reuse of a vacant building, support tourism-related activity within the area and would not give rise to unacceptable impacts on residential amenity, road safety or the character of the surrounding area.
"Taking all matters into account, it is considered that the benefits of securing a viable long-term use for the property outweigh the harm arising from the loss of the former public house use in this instance."
