Alan Carr’s plans to turn part of his new Scottish castle estate into a community café and shop could face an unexpected obstacle: bats.
The Celebrity Traitors winner has been restoring Ayton Castle after buying the extensive property for £3.25 million earlier this year.
However, proposals to convert a former potting shed and other ancillary buildings at the historic estate may be delayed after concerns were raised that bats could be roosting there.
Council officers have requested a detailed assessment before the planning application can move forward.
Malcolm Ginns, an ecology officer at Scottish Borders Council, said: “There is potential for the potting shed to host roosting bats and a daytime bat assessment should be undertaken.
“This may require follow-up bat activity surveys, which would need to be carried out between May and September and cannot begin later than August.”
Under Carr’s plans, a group of derelict traditional buildings would be restored and converted into a community café and estate shop. The work would also include repairs and conservation measures to protect the historic fabric of the site.
Located near the English-Scottish border, Ayton Castle has 17 bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a five-storey Great Tower, turrets, a private chapel and 106 acres of listed gardens.
Alan Carr’s plans to renovate Ayton Castle in the Scottish Borders could be delayed amid concerns that bats may be roosting in the historic buildings
A Scottish Borders Council ecology officer has requested a full bat assessment before the planning application can proceed
Carr has previously said he plans to move permanently to the estate. His renovation project is also being filmed for a Disney+ documentary.
Responding to the concerns, Carr’s representatives said a comprehensive ecological survey was already under way, with a report due to be submitted after its completion.
They said: “Full awareness of the existing building’s historical significance is addressed and maintained, and the adaptive-use proposal sits well within the guidance issued by HES, allowing a long-term sustainable purpose for these estate buildings.
“The proposal halts the further decay of these buildings and promotes a well-suited option for adaptive reuse.”
They added: “It is recognised that the building’s location presents potential for habitation by a variety of species.
“To address this, an ecological study has been commissioned to determine the presence of any species within or adjacent to the buildings.
“Tweed Ecology are currently undertaking a three-stage survey and their full report will be submitted shortly after the final stage has concluded.”
No public comments have been submitted on the application so far.
Carr’s representatives have also confirmed that some work was carried out by the previous owners without consent, meaning retrospective planning applications may be required.
They said no recent applications had been made for work to the main castle, although some earlier repairs had not been completed or reinstated in the appropriate way.
They said: ‘Some essential repairs have been undertaken which in some cases may not have seen full reinstatement by the previous owners.
‘Whilst this has no direct bearing on the potting shed application, the new owner and applicant is aware of these instances and is keen to work with SBC to ensure all permissions are retrospectively in place and work undertaken to fully reinstate significant features.’
The potting shed is currently described as being in a ‘general state of disrepair with severe dilapidation’, with missing doors and windows leaving parts of the building exposed to the elements.
A design and access statement from Lorn Macneal Architects Ltd, acting for Carr, said the plans form part of a wider effort to improve the estate and its visitor experience.
It states: ‘As part of a wider desire to enhance and improve the visitor experience to the estate and in tandem with a wish to properly manage and maintain the full range of estate properties, the applicant seeks to convert the potting sheds into a community cafe and estate shop.’
Carr bought the castle for £3.25 million and wants to convert its derelict former potting sheds into a community café and estate shop, Pictured is the Potting shed at the castle
Pictures are plans to develop the potting shed and ancillary buildings into a community cafe and estate shop at Carr’s Ayton Castle
The potting sheds comprise four separate single-storey buildings, approximately 4m wide and 40m long, running north-east to south-west along the northern edge of a former walled garden.
The buildings are B-listed and are currently partially derelict and partially roofed, but are described as being in an overall dilapidated state.
The architects said the café would occupy the eastern end of the buildings, with the shop next door.
They added: ‘Ideally the cafe serves as a stopping point for dog walkers and estate ramblers but it is recognised that with no such facilities within the village of Ayton itself, there will ideally be a draw for local people to walk and cycle onto the estate to enjoy the nature and visit the cafe.
‘It is also anticipated that when the railway is operational, the cafe and shop will form a natural addition to this attraction, creating a small destination for narrow gauge railway enthusiasts.’
As part of his ongoing regeneration of the estate, Carr recently held an auction of around 400 unwanted items from the castle, offering buyers ‘the chance to acquire items from one of the Borders’ most distinctive country houses.’
Ayton Castle has a long and turbulent history as the site was originally associated with a medieval fortified tower, or peel, linked to the powerful Home family.
Its position close to the English border made it strategically important and, in the late 15th century, it was regarded as one of the strongest places between Berwick and Edinburgh.
In 1497, the castle was captured by the English, while the nearby village of Ayton gave its name to the Treaty of Ayton, signed that same year.
The medieval stronghold was later replaced by a more classical country house, which was destroyed by fire in 1834.
The estate was subsequently bought by William Mitchell-Innes, a banker connected with the Bank of Scotland, who commissioned the present castle.
The building seen today was constructed between 1845 and 1851 by architect James Gillespie Graham, with later additions by David Bryce and James Maitland Wardrop.
Carr’s purchase also sparked controversy after he initially said he would become a baron and have his own tartan.
His comments on a podcast prompted a backlash from some locals, who accused him of ‘cultural appropriation’ and called him an ‘invader’.
Carr later clarified that he had turned down the opportunity to buy the title.
A Disney+ spokesperson confirmed that the option to purchase the Baron title came with the castle but said Carr had opted not to take it.
The spokesperson also said the estate’s gates would remain open to dog walkers and ramblers.
They said at the time: ‘Alan Carr is very much looking forward to making Ayton his home and getting to know the local community.
‘The gates will remain open for the dog walkers and ramblers to continue enjoying the estate grounds.
‘Alan hopes to host a few events at the castle to help cover the running costs, showcasing Ayton’s stunning backdrop and the surrounding area, with as little disruption as possible.’
Carr previously said on the podcast: ‘It is my home, I have bought it, and I’m selling up and moving up there. I’m 50, I want a change.
‘I’ve got the survey now, and I’m waiting for the keys to come. It’s a lovely community, really small, and I want it to be magical.
‘I’ll be a baron, and I get my own tartan.’
