The former Davidson Cottage Hospital in Girvan will live on as luxury family homes, after fresh proposals for the site were approved.
Ayrshire Live previously told how ‘The Davidson’ was subject to two planning applications, one seeking alterations to the part-listed building and the other for a change of use at the site.
Overall, there will now be a change of use and alterations made to the existing hospital to form a family home and a change of use and alterations of the hospital outbuilding- to form another home.
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According to council papers, the annex building will eventually contain various leisure facilities including; a gym, dance and yoga studio, pool, sauna, steam room, separate male and female changing facilities and a bar area.
Agent in the proposals is Karen Parry Architects Ltd and the applicant is Essex-based Harry Atay.
A design and access statement said: “The proposed conversion of the former Cottage Hospital into a family home represents a sensitive and well-considered scheme that respects the building’s historic and architectural significance.
“By retaining key features, using appropriate materials, and limiting intervention, the proposal secures the long-term future of the building in a manner consistent with local and national planning and conservation policy. The development is therefore considered acceptable and appropriate, and approval is respectfully sought.”
Plans show a living room, dining room, study, hallway, bedrooms, utility room, en-suite bathrooms, library and other associated works. The works would also allow for the provision of solar panels on the roof.
Council papers state: “The submitted drawings show the development proposal is concentrated in the main hospital building and the former day hospital building to the rear of the site, with each being converted to a single residential property.
“The modern annex building attached to the side of the main hospital building is intended to form part of the dwellinghouse within the main hospital building.
“The submitted drawings show the annex building to contain various leisure facilities including; a gym, dance and yoga studios, pool, sauna, steam room, separate male and female changing facilities and a bar area. Off road parking provision is provided for each of the proposed dwellings.”
In approving the plans, with conditions, council papers said: “The current proposal is for the reuse of the former community hospital which has lain vacant for a number of years. The former hospital building is a Category-B listed building which is also included on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland.
“In this regard, it is considered that the proposals offer the opportunity to provide additional residential properties in a suitable and sustainable location, with the proposals providing the potential to improve the physical appearance of the building, rather than potentially leaving the premises to further decline through its prolonged vacancy.”
In June 2025, Ayrshire Live told how the much-loved former hospital was in line for a brighter future after it was sold at auction.
‘The Davidson,’ as it was commonly known, closed in 2013 after the new Girvan Community Hospital opened.
Following a “fierce bidding war,” the property sold for £180,000 at an auction held by the Online Property Auction Group.
Previously listed as “low” on the Buildings at Risk Register, the condition of the B-Listed building was described as “fair” when it was last visited in 2014.
Gifted to Girvan by Thomas, James and Janet Davidson in memory of their mother Margaret, the Davidson looked after the people of the town for more than 90 years.
Built in 1921 to designs by Watson, Salmond & Gray, the Davidson was opened on June 15, 1922 by 88-year-old Thomas, the sole surviving benefactor, alongside Provost Hervey of Girvan.
At its peak, the Davidson boasted a round-the-clock doctor-led casualty service and maternity services.
After closing, the Davidson was sold by the NHS to Ailsa Horizons in 2015.
Later that year, Historic Environment Scotland awarded £66,940 from the Building Repair Grant Scheme towards its conversion but this never came to pass.
Ailsa Horizons ceased trading in 2016 and was subsequently dissolved in 2019.