Plans to install a luxury spa at one of Scotland’s most exclusive hotel estates were already in motion months before families were told their children’s nursery on the site was shutting down, MailOnline can reveal.
Crossbasket Nursery, which sat within the 14-acre grounds of the Crossbasket Castle estate in Blantyre, closed its doors for the final time on October 1.
Parents had been informed in July that the facility – used by more than 100 children – would be axed, leaving them scrambling for alternative childcare and around 30 staff out of work.
At the time, rumours circulated that ‘serious health concerns of the owner’ were behind the decision.
But it has now emerged that Alison and Steve Timoney, who are reportedly worth between £60 million and £100 million, discussed their plans for a new spa with an industry publication in March – five months before the nursery closure was announced.
They described the spa, scheduled to open early next year, as ‘phase three of the wider development project’.
The couple also highlighted two new five-bedroom riverside lodges forming part of the expansion, though they did not specify where the spa would be located within the estate.
Documents show that the project accelerated almost immediately after the nursery shut.
The 14-acre estate was derelict before being bought in 2011 by husband and wife Steve and Alison Timoney, believed to have a combined net worth between £60 and £100m, who set about transforming the category A-listed building
Parents had been informed in July that the facility – used by more than 100 children – would be axed, leaving them scrambling for alternative childcare and around 30 staff out of work
Planning applications to South Lanarkshire Council are dated October 13 and 28 – lodged less than two weeks after the final children and staff left the building.
The revelation has fuelled anger among parents, former employees and local residents, many of whom had been led to believe no future use for the nursery building had been decided.
Clare Haughey, who represents the area and was contacted by affected families, said: ‘Originally, families had been advised by the nursery that the possibility of managers stepping in to run it may be explored, and that there were ‘no current plans’ for any potential usage of the site if the land was instead to be handed back to the wider estate.
‘I was extremely surprised to see that just 12 days after the nursery officially closed its doors for the last time that a very detailed planning application, including detailed site plans, was submitted to the Council.
‘Ultimately, of course, Crossbasket Nursery was a private business owned by the wider Crossbasket estate, who are free to make decisions about the use of their land.
‘However, I completely understand and share the anger expressed by parents, former staff, and the wider community about the situation, as well as their shock about how quickly this seems to have happened.’
Crossbasket Castle insists there is no link between the nursery’s closure and the spa development.
A spokesperson said: ‘Development of the eco lodges and spa had already commenced alongside the River Calder, adjacent to the new hotel.
‘Following the closure and handover of the former nursery building, a review of the estate layout was undertaken to ensure the best use of available space.
‘As part of this, the spa is now planned for the estate’s entrance, allowing the existing building to be repurposed.’
Crossbasket Castle insists there is no link between the nursery’s closure and the spa development
The controversial plans have left ‘devastated’ parents scrambling to find alternative childcare, with the nursery attended by more than 100 children
Not everyone is convinced. Former nursery worker Samantha Corry said: ‘Can’t say that’s a surprise but the disgusting part is not even two weeks after losing our jobs were these plans submitted to the council.
‘Speaks volumes of the integrity of the owners when they clearly knew the plans for the building all along whilst telling us there was ‘no plans in place!!’
Others voiced similar frustration. Carol McLaughlin wrote: ‘Not shocked – though definitely disappointed the way they went about it with no thoughts for the staff, children and parents involved, as it was them that made the nursery a success and they definitely pocketed the profits.’
And Emma Gartshore added: ‘It is really astonishing that the owners genuinely thought we’d all believe them when they said this was never the plan. You’d think they’d wait more than 6 weeks since they displaced the last few families and paid staff a pittance in redundancy before moving in.’
The closure of the nursery came just months after the estate unveiled a lavish new 40-bedroom hotel in March, part of a £20 million investment that has transformed Crossbasket Castle into one of Scotland’s most extravagant destinations.
