Irvine Bay continues to listen to local people

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has continued to listen to local people’s views this week through a series of public engagement events held in Irvine, Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston.

Town regeneration plans are being developed for the five towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Kilwinning and Irvine which aim to revitalise each of the town centres and help to boost the local economy. The plans will identify a vision for these towns over the next 10 years and seek to identify and shape key opportunities for quality physical and economic regeneration.

Seeking views from local residents, businesses, public agencies and national organisations is key to the development of these regeneration plans to ensure their ideas and issues are fully incorporated – a process Irvine Bay is fully committed to.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay said: “We want to support the physical and economic regeneration of these town centres for the benefit of local people, businesses and visitors.”

He added: “The involvement and participation of local residents and the business community is vital as we develop these plans, and we are extremely encouraged by the interest shown in these events. We welcome the honest and open discussions that we have had with local people.”

Over 250 people came along to an ‘Ideas shop’ held on Thursday 27 March in the Bridgegate from 12noon until 7pm. Open to the general public and local businesses, the ideas shop displayed maps, plans and key project ideas. Visitors were invited to scritinise and comment on the ideas on display. Those who came along were also encouraged to submit their own thoughts and ideas for how they would like to see Irvine in the future.

Kath MacTaggart, Senior Landscape Architect for BDP, the consultant team working with Irvine Bay to produce the regeneration plan for Irvine. said: “We were overwhelmed by the positive feedback and the visible energy for change in Irvine. It was a successful day that encouraged much debate and showed the clear enthusiasm that we need to harness within the next steps to regeneration.”

In the three towns a series of information evenings were held throughout the week. All were welcome to attend these information evenings which included a presentation from Irvine Bay on the key role the towns’ regeneration plans will play in supporting the future growth of each town.

Local residents and businesses had the opportunity to talk with members of the Irvine Bay team and comment on some of the key proposed projects, as well set out their own ideas for how they would like to see their towns develop.

Working with Irvine Bay on the regeneration plan for the three towns, Halcrow’s Head of Regeneration Scott Davidson said: "I found the public meetings at Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenson extremely useful. The discussion and comments made, combined with the exhibitions in the local libraries, will help Halcrow to bring forward exciting and innovative regeneration plans for the town centres."

James Ledgerwood, Project Manager with Irvine Bay said: “We are committed to seeking views from local residents and businesses alike, and these events have allowed for full frank and open discussions – a vital step in preparing regeneration plans for the 3 towns.”

Results from this early public engagement work done to date in the 3 towns will be on display from 31st March for further review, as follows:

Saltcoats  Saltcoats Library, Springvale Place
Ardrossan  Ardrossan Library, Princes Street
Stevenston  Stevenston Library, Main Street

Everyone is invited to view these displays and complete the comments sheets.

Over the coming weeks Irvine Bay and the consultant teams will undertake further feasibility and technical reviews of the proposed projects and ideas before further public consultation on the final drafts of the regeneration plans for each town. The finalised regeneration plans are expected to be complete by the summer with a series of public exhibitions being held.