Comedian Alan Carr has submitted plans to transform a potting shed at his Scottish Borders castle into a community café and shop, with the local council's heritage officer recommending approval of the scheme.
Carr acquired Ayton Castle earlier this year, and these proposals mark the first formal redevelopment application lodged with Scottish Borders Council since his purchase. The project will be documented in a forthcoming television series tracking his efforts to establish the estate as a functioning home.
The conversion would repurpose currently vacant buildings within the castle's walled garden. According to reports on the application, the proposed café is designed to accommodate 48 people, with 24 seats indoors and 24 outdoors, connected to the estate shop through an adjoining door. The application was submitted through Carr's company, Up The Turret.
The scheme would also include public toilets, staff welfare facilities, and storage areas. Application documents indicate that Ayton village currently lacks a café serving the local community, and the proposed site—a five-minute walk from the village—could attract nearby customers alongside estate visitors.
What do the council officers recommend?
The council's heritage and design officer has endorsed the proposals as "positive and practical," describing the repair and reuse of the buildings as an appropriate use for this section of the estate. The consultation response recommends approval subject to conditions governing the materials to be used and requiring a photographic record before dismantling work begins.
The officer's assessment stated that the scheme offers a
"credible means of securing investment, continued occupation and future maintenance"of the historic complex. The response further noted that
"the proposal would also allow visitors to appreciate the relationship between the potting sheds and walled garden"and welcomed
"the intention to support the garden's longer-term restoration."
The council concluded that the plans would—subject to appropriate conditions—
"preserve the architectural and historic interest of the listed complex and the character of its designed landscape setting."
The council's archaeology officer has also supported the scheme, stating that
"the proposed conversion would have a limited impact overall to the historic fabric of the building; indeed the rescue of a derelict historic building is to be welcomed."He recommended that a condition be attached to permit a full archaeological investigation in advance of the work.
What concerns have been raised?
The council's roads planning department has requested further information before it can endorse the application. Its response indicated that it has not yet been satisfied that the number of parking spaces proposed is sufficient for the anticipated use, and a revised parking plan has been requested.
Additionally, a separate council report raised potential ecological constraints. The council's ecology officer requested a daytime bat assessment, possible follow-up activity surveys, and a biodiversity enhancement plan, as protected bats could potentially delay the project if present on the site.
What is the background to this project?
Ayton Castle, which dates mainly to the 19th century and was designed by architect James Gillespie Graham around a medieval tower house, sits on more than 160 acres and includes 17 bedrooms. The estate also features a working narrow-gauge railway built by its previous owners. Carr's acquisition of the property earlier this year was accompanied by plans for a television series documenting his restoration efforts, with a working title of *Castle Man*, though no exact release date has been announced.
Prior to submitting these development plans, Carr held an auction of unwanted items from the castle in July 2026. The sale included over 400 lots ranging from folk art to a Bentley Mulsanne, though he retained the only unsold item—a concrete cow sculpture—from the event.
What happens next?
Scottish Borders Council is gathering consultation responses before making a decision on the proposals. A September report indicated the council was expected to decide on the application by the end of the following month, though confirmation of whether that decision was reached is not yet available. The council will need to address the outstanding concerns raised by the roads planning and ecology departments before granting approval.
