South Ayrshire Council could buy back a derelict Ayrshire hotel after hitting a "critical milestone" in a row with developers.

The local authority sold the former Belleisle House Hotel to John and Senga Campbell in August 2012 with the couple planning to turn it into a luxury hotel and spa.

No work has been carried out on the site for two years meaning the stated completion date of August 15, 2017, has been missed.

Officials now want essential information to determine the way forward for the development but so far have been met with silence from the couple.

While now formal deadline has been set, officials say they "expect progress to be made within the next couple of weeks".

Head of neighbourhood services Mike Newall said: "Our focus has always been to support the planned development of Belleisle House Hotel as part of our wider ambitions to enhance and regenerate the Belleisle Estate, which has benefited from investment of around £5m over the last three years and has seen visitor numbers double as a result.

"We have made significant efforts to work with the hotel developer to progress outstanding issues in relation to building warrant applications and parking provision."

He added: "However, we require their input to finalise these matters and that has not been forthcoming despite numerous requests to discuss over a lengthy period.

"This is absolutely unacceptable and we have contacted the developer again to highlight the truly critical juncture we are now at and to outline the potential courses of action open to the council, which could include the refusal of building warrants or even a buyback of the building.

"This is not a course of action we would undertake lightly and it would be for our councillors to take any decision about what we do next, however, we hope this latest contact prompts the appropriate response from the developer that allows us all to have a clear picture of what's happening and to make informed decisions about the future of the building for the benefit of our people and communities."