Outlander set to be partially demolished as plans to improve Ayrshire harbour are approved

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Plans have been approved for major improvements to historic Dunure harbour.Two existing brick boat stores that have fallen into a state of disrepair in the Ayrshire village are to be demolished, after South Ayrshire Council planners approved the proposal under delegated powers late last month.In their place a new single-storey boat store would be built, including a harbour masters store and accessible toilet and shower facilities set further back from the harbour.In recent years, the harbour has been transformed into a film set for the smash hit American cable tv series, Outlander.

In their report, planners said: “The existing storage buildings do not make a positive contribution to the harbour area or the wider conservation area, in part due to external finishes (in particular the corrugated asbestos roof), and in part due to lack of maintenance. “Indeed, the existing boat stores are boarded up and do not appear to be in use, and there is significant structural damage to the rear of one boat store so as to render it unusable.“Additionally, the area to the rear of the existing boat stores has become a dumping ground for old boats and other associated boating equipment, again to the significant detriment of the harbour area and the wider conservation area.“The proposed new boat store is to be sited towards the eastern edge of the harbour, thereby presenting an opportunity to improve the character, appearance and setting of the locale through the removal of old boats and associated equipment, and ensure that the harbour area is more welcoming and fit for purpose. “With regard to the design, massing, scale, proportions and finishes of the new building, it is considered that the new building, by reason of replacing two of