Council agree funding for Crichton development plans

There are plans to create a visitor centre in the crypt of the memorial church

Councillors have agreed to fund two projects to help increase public use of a "hidden" area of Dumfries.

They hope the scheme will promote the Crichton university and business complex as a visitor attraction.

A total of £650,000 will be used to create a visitor centre in the crypt of the historic memorial church.

It will also help to complete the redevelopment of the former hydrotherapy suite in the south wing of Easterbrook Hall.

A swimming pool will be reinstated and a spa, bar and restaurant created.

The cash had been previously committed by Dumfries and Galloway Council to the Crichton Trust, which manages the site of the former psychiatric hospital.

Now the local authority's economy, environment and infrastructure committee has endorsed the trust's plans for the funds.

Colin Smyth said: "What we are hoping to achieve is to bring more people into the Crichton site itself.

"It's very much a hidden site despite the fact that there are thousands of students and people working in the business park every day but we want to attract more visitors to the area and really boost and continue to develop the Crichton as a key part of the regional economy."

Rob Shaw, the chief executive of the Crichton Trust, said: "It's a really pivotal decision from the council because it enables the trust to open up the Crichton Estate fully for the local community and also for the visitors to the region."

Last month it emerged that discussions are underway with a North American developer to create a 300-bed spa hotel on the site.