Dumfries House extension given go ahead
The work will develop a permanent event space to replace a marquee that has been used for the last 14 years
A permanent events pavilion will be built at Dumfries House after East Ayrshire Council granted listed building consent for alterations and extensions to the estate’s eastern wing.
The new single-storey structure, which will include a large events space, bar, store, and toilets, will replace the temporary marquee that has stood on the estate since 2011.
Designed to host up to 200 guests, the pavilion is intended to boost the estate’s long-term viability as a venue for functions and cultural events.
Dumfries House, an A-listed mansion built in the 1750s, sits just outside Cumnock and has been under the care of The King’s Foundation since 2007.
The east and west wings were added in the 19th century, with the east wing—where the new work will take place—originally housing a chapel and later a dining room.
Planners praised the proposal for being sympathetic to the historic structure.
The extension will be finished in traditional materials—natural sandstone, timber, and slate—to match the rest of the building, and will adopt a hipped roof design in keeping with the estate’s architectural style.
Crucially, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) supported the plans, noting that while the works would involve the loss of some historic fabric, it was largely limited to a utilitarian store area of relatively low significance.
They added that replacing the marquee with a permanent structure would improve the setting of the house.
The proposal drew no objections or public representations, and heritage groups including the Scottish Civic Trust also raised no concerns.
The application was assessed against national and local planning policies, including National Planning Framework 4 and East Ayrshire’s Local Development Plan, and was found to meet all relevant criteria.
Before work begins, the project team must submit full details of the sandstone and slate materials for approval to ensure they match the original building as closely as possible.
Once completed, the pavilion will offer a more robust and visually cohesive alternative to the long-standing marquee, enhancing the estate’s capacity to host high-quality events.
Dumfries House is one of Ayrshire’s premier heritage destinations, drawing thousands of visitors each year and acting as a centre for education, training, and community initiatives under The King’s Foundation.
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