Planning Success: Castleview Holiday Lodges

Castleview Holiday Lodges, situated to the southwest of Lauder, offers three luxury self-catering holiday lodges set amongst the gorgeous Scottish Borders scenery. The Davisons of Woodheads Farm identified the opportunity to diversify and create a holiday accommodation development in an area of woodland overlooking the scenic Lauderdale Valley.

Having worked closely with FBRSeed Director Jenni Douglas since 2016 on various projects, including planning for an Agricultural building, Environmental Grant applications and Renewables discussions, the Davisons enlisted her expertise to bring their vision to life. Jenni’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the planning process were instrumental in securing the necessary permissions to bring the project to fruition.

To successfully gain planning permission, Jenni worked alongside the client to firstly prove there was a shortage of such accommodation in the area, with demand strong on the back of Covid- restrictions which fuelled staycations.

The next step was to agree on the location, which had to be close enough to provide power from solar panels in the farm yard, but far enough away for guests to enjoy privacy and keep the farming enterprise separate. Various access routes were considered, looking at visibility spays at various points along the road. Disposal of wastewater and sourcing suitable external lighting were also key considerations as part of the overall planning application as well as the design of the lodges themselves. The process involved liaising with third parties such as Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and The Scottish Borders Council’s Roads department and considering the findings from surveys undertaken including ecology and woodlands.

A key challenge was balancing the development of a successful holiday letting business with environmental conservation. Being located within a woodland meant care had to be taken to site the lodges and the access road with minimal impact to tree roots, and ecologists were consulted to confirm there would be minimal impact on wildlife as a result of the development.

After months of meticulous preparation, the planning application was submitted in October 2021. Following two months of diligent work and necessary adjustments, planning permission was granted in December 2021, allowing the business to consult with Building Standards and thereafter commence construction of the project.

The development fell within the Short-Term Licencing laws that were imposed from April 2022, resulting in all new holiday accommodation having to be licenced, another consideration and delay in the marketing process, as a licence application cannot be submitted until build works are completed.

Following the completion of construction and successful licencing, the lodges have been open for bookings since August 2023. Castleview Holiday Lodges have proven to be a resounding success, with bookings consistently exceeding industry averages. The demand reflects the preparations that went into creating such a quality holiday lodge development.

Gary Davison of Castleview Lodges expressed, “FBRSeed provided us with a crucial support system in navigating the complexities of the planning process. Their expertise and guidance allowed us to focus on our day-to-day responsibilities while they managed the application process. It is reassuring to have the right support system in place to help navigate the unpredictability of the planning process”.

Navigating the planning system is complex and challenging. It often involves coordinating third-party contractors and industry experts to ensure all elements are in place for securing planning permission. At FBRSeed, our dedicated team of Chartered Surveyors and planning and development experts can guide you through this intricate process, just as we did for Castleview Holiday Lodges.

To find out more about our planning and development services, contact reception@fbrseed.com.