South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel has moved a residential rehabilitation facility at Auchencruive closer to reopening by agreeing to delegate the final decision on a delayed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence application to officers. The licence renewal for the Bothy Flat at River Garden, run by Independence from Drugs and Alcohol Scotland (IDAS), had been held up by a missing building warrant application.
Background of the Facility and Licensing Issue
The three-bedroom property on the Auchencruive estate is intended to accommodate up to three adults as part of the charity’s residential rehabilitation services. The application came before councillors after Building Standards identified that improvement works required a new building warrant application. Although officers had been working with IDAS since October 2025 to resolve the issue, the required application was only submitted on 17 June 2026, shortly before the panel meeting.
Housing officers told councillors they could not approve the licence immediately because the Building Standards assessment had not yet been completed. However, members heard that delaying a decision could require a special meeting of the Regulatory Panel due to statutory deadlines governing HMO licence applications.
Charity’s Struggles and Apology
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, interim chief executive Lorraine McGrath apologised for the delays. She explained that IDAS had taken over the River Garden service following a period of instability that had placed the charity at risk of closure. Management had spent much of the past year dealing with staffing, governance and operational issues while trying to stabilise services. Ms McGrath told councillors there had been confusion surrounding historic records and licensing arrangements for the property, but the organisation was now fully engaged with the process and had appointed architects to assist with the outstanding building warrant application.
Demand for Services
Ms McGrath added that the property was effectively ready for occupation, subject to any requirements from the Building Standards review, and highlighted significant demand for residential rehabilitation places. “We are receiving multiple referrals every week at the moment,” she told the panel.
Building Standards Assessment
Building Standards co-ordinator Hugh Talbot said the warrant application was currently being assessed and that, while a site inspection would still be required, he did not anticipate significant technical issues emerging from the review.
Council Decision
Councillors ultimately agreed to delegate authority to officers to determine the application once the Building Standards process has been completed, rather than requiring the matter to return to a future panel meeting. The licence cannot be used until the necessary Building Standards approvals have been secured. The motion was approved by five votes to one.
