Local community

The regeneration of Irvine Bay will gradually bring real change to the people who live and work in the area.

If you live nearby you may already have been involved in the extensive community engagement programme that took place during 2008. This consultation process established the top goals for each area for regeneration.

As individual projects in our changing bay move forward, community engagement is continuing  to be an important part of Irvine Bay's regeneration agenda, with consultation taking place regularly for individual projects as the planning and development work continues.

Development projects

The outcome of the community engagement is a series of towns' regeneration plans which outline proposals for the town centres of each of the five towns. Projects such as the redevelopment of Kilwinning Main Street are breathing new life into local communities.

Minister for Housing and Communities Alex Neil said:

Thriving main streets act as the cornerstone for communities across Scotland. That is why the Scottish Government has invested millions to help regenerate our towns. The Kilwinning project is a shining example of what can be achieved. The creative thinking behind this scheme has invigorated the town's main street by attracting new businesses.

The plans for the town centres are being co-ordinated with a wide range of other projects which are gradually taking shape in our changing  bay.

Projects which will help bring regeneration to the area include the development of 'The Ayrshire' golf course with hotel and holiday homes at Western Gailes on the edge of Irvine.

Plans to create a new community at Irvine Harbour are also well advanced, with developers Urban Splash taking the lead. Housing, shops and commercial accommodation will all be created, with a village feel to the development.

Community projects

While our main focus is the regeneration of the physical environment, we are also able to support a number of community initiatives. During summer 2009, and again in 2010, we worked with North Ayrshire Council and YoungScot to deliver Big on the Beach, a highly successful summer activity festival for young people and children on the sea front at Ardrossan. 

We have also supported the refurbishment of the Glebe Tennis courts in Saltcoats and we're delighted to be involved with the community archaeological dig in Kilwinning. 

A regular farmers' market is taking place in Kilwinning's newly refurbished Main Street.

We are also working closely with local schools on a wide range of education projects, involving young people in the regeneration of the area.