Comedian and television personality Alan Carr has taken the next step in his Scottish property venture by submitting formal proposals to transform a neglected structure on his historic estate. The entertainer, who recently triumphed on The Celebrity Traitors, acquired the 19th-century Ayton Castle in the Scottish Borders earlier this year for a sum exceeding £3.25 million.

Documentation filed with the Scottish Borders Council outlines a vision to convert an empty potting shed located within the property's walled garden into a public café and estate shop. The blueprints also incorporate plans for public restrooms, storage areas, and staff amenities. According to accompanying heritage impact assessments, the outbuildings have remained empty for years and currently suffer from severe structural neglect.

Representatives for the project noted that reviving the decaying structures would create a welcoming attraction for visitors and inject new life into the walled garden. Planning documents emphasize a long-term commitment to clearing, restoring, and investing in the garden grounds. Experts reviewing the application concluded that the proposed alterations would cause minimal harm to the historic significance of the site while securing a sustainable future for the ageing buildings.

The castle acquisition and subsequent restoration efforts are slated to form the basis of an upcoming television series produced for Disney. Cameras are set to follow the comedian as he navigates the complex and often humorous challenges of turning the sprawling, historical estate into a functional modern residence. When he initially purchased the property, the presenter joked that while other people might mark a midlife crisis by purchasing a sports car, he preferred a historic fortress.

The estate recently cleared out hundreds of leftover items from both the previous owners and the new buyer through a residual sale. While most lots successfully found new homes, including unusual concrete sculptures from the Branxton Cement Menagerie, a lone concrete cow ultimately went unsold.

Local planning authorities will review the submission and issue a decision on the café development at a future date. If approved, the project will mark the initial phase of public-facing restoration on the historic grounds.

Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.