The site 20 miles south of Glasgow was an NHS hospital until 2002.Eatonfield now intends to embark on a phased development which will bring a new hotel and a residential development. Around 165 houses and associated sports or play facilities could also be built.

"This news follows hard on the heels of the grant of planning consent on the former Corus site at Workington and firmly establishes Eatonfield as a leading player in regeneration,” said the company’s chief executive, Rob Lloyd.