The park is owned by the council and is managed on its behalf by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) and includes Biggar Caravan Park, an 18-hole golf course and a range of other leisure facilities.

With the current short-term contract with a management service provider coming to an end in March 2024, there is an opportunity to take a longer-term approach that would attract significant investment into the park, including the caravan park.

David Booth, Executive Director of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources, said: “The park is popular, including with caravan holiday makers, and the golf and other play areas also have good demand. But the facilities are well below the standard that people – especially tourists – rightly expect.

“Substantial investment is needed to make the park as good as local people would want it to be. While those sums would be impossible for the council to invest at this time of restrictions on public sector funding, we are confident that offering a longer contract will make it a very attractive proposition to potential providers.

“We are in the process of seeking specialist commercial advice on the future of the park. This involves consideration of the best use of the space to attract tourists and inward investment into the Biggar area. To be clear, our considerations include a caravan park remaining on the site.

“The council hopes to attract a good deal of interest from a varied number of service providers, and this opportunity is open to the current service provider too.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we make these changes, the intention of which are to bring valuable economic, leisure and environmental benefits to the local area. We will keep local people and councillors informed as further details emerge.”

Although plans are at an early stage it is hoped that any transition will take place over the Winter period, to minimise the potential disruption on caravanners, golfers and other park users. Any gaps in provision over this period also will be kept to a minimum.