In the development of Scotland’s former industrial sites, plans have been approved to convert the site of the country’s last deep coal mine into a new holiday park. The Castlehill Lodge Resort, to be built on the former Castlehill pit near Blairhall, will transform the old mine into a tourist destination aimed at boosting the local economy.
Castlehill Mine, which operated from 1965 to 1990, played a key role in supplying coal to the Longannet Power Station. At its peak, the mine employed almost 800 workers, contributing significantly to the local economy. After officially closing in 1990, the site continued on a maintenance basis until 2002, when the flooding of Longannet marked the end of deep coal mining in Scotland.
The West and Central planning committee recently granted approval to repurpose the site from industrial use to a holiday park. Manchester-based Ben Jurin Architecture Ltd, the developers behind the project, proposed constructing up to 100 holiday lodges along with a retail unit and a new link to the nearby Dunfermline to Alloa cycle path. The site’s retail unit will serve visitors, with potential opportunities for local businesses.
In line with sustainable transport options, the developers plan to run a daily bus service to the village of Culross and provide transport to nearby bus stops, enhancing accessibility for guests.
The economic impact of the project is projected to be substantial, with estimates suggesting the Castlehill Lodge Resort could contribute approximately £9 million to the local economy.
During the approval process, Kirkcaldy Councilor James Leslie questioned the financial viability of the new development. However, planning officials clarified that financial viability and commercial competition do not fall under planning considerations.
“We can’t refuse it because we think other sites might be more successful,” a planning officer stated, as reported by Dunfermline Press.
