A “STATE-OF-THE-ART” events facility, along with luxury hospitality pods, could be created at historic Carberry Tower and estate near Whitecraig – already a popular venue for weddings and conferences.
A chapel on the site would be extended to provide a permanent function suite called the ‘Carriage House.’
Ten en suite hospitality pods are also planned in a bid to meet post Covid-19 pandemic travel tends, a supporting statement lodged with East Lothian Council’s planning department said.
A spokesperson on behalf of the owners, Kingsland Estates Ltd, said: “The extension to the chapel property will introduce a state-of-the-art events space to East Lothian and the proposed luxury accommodation pods, supplied by Lothians-based Armadilla, recently won the 2020 Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation. These stunning, experiential pods are commensurate with the Carberry Tower Mansion House brand, each providing a private, luxury en-suite bedroom within a tranquil woodland context.
“With ultra-low-energy air-source heat-pumps, underfloor heating and the latest in-pod technologies, these woodland suites are packed with green credentials – another good reason why they’re a perfect fit for the Carberry Tower brand. And, although these proposed medium term plans will not immediately affect the ongoing activities at Carberry Tower Mansion House and Estate, the whole team are enormously excited about what the future holds.”
It is also proposed that the main house be returned to use as domestic residence, the supporting statement explained.
Carberry Tower’s origins are mentioned as far back as the 11th century. It has been a private residence for most of its history, latterly with the Elphinstone family who bequeathed it to the Church of Scotland in 1961. It then became a conference centre with accommodation, changing hands in the 21st century and now belonging to a private family, operating under the name of Kingsland Estates Ltd since 2015.
The existing 1960s Grade C listed chapel – currently designated as a ceilidh hall – would be retained as a wedding venue. The building would be extended to provide a permanent function suite to the north and west. The chapel would also have some necessary renovation and upgrading, a supporting statement to the council said.
This would allow for the removal of the marquee from beside the main house, used to accommodate weddings of 150-200 people, restoring the imposing south, parkland elevation to its “former beauty”.
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