Clean-up works starts at Ardrossan North Shore

Work got underway today on the site of a £70 million development site aimed at helping to transform Irvine Bay.

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson was on hand to help begin the decontamination work at Ardrossan North Shore, the former Shell oil refinery site near Ardrossan Marina.

The contract to carry out land remediation works has been awarded by Ardrossan North Shore LLP to specialists ERS. The remedial works are required to remove soil and groundwater contamination. The main contaminant is hydrocarbon related to the previous bitumen processing and hydrocarbon (oil) storage.

Mr Gibson said: “It is really heartening to see work begin on such an important project for the area and demonstrates again the good work being done by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company.”

Patrick Wiggins, Irvine Bay Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that work is beginning on what we think will be a transformational project for the area.

“The work will be carried out in a sensitive way. Little or no soil will be taken off site – it will all be treated on site by bio-remediation to remove the contamination through natural methods. This also minimises lorry traffic on surrounding roads.”

The Ardrossan North Shore joint venture was agreed between Peel Holdings and Irvine Bay to redevelop the former refinery site, which could also see a massive expansion of the marina over the coming years.

Highlights of the £70 million development include:

• A total of 30 acres of former oil refinery land in the heart of the town cleaned up and redeveloped
• More than 400 new homes created
• At least 4,000 square metres of offices created, along with a restaurant and a care home
• The creation of new public open space
• A first phase of 200 new berths at the marina, with an eventual additional number of around 500

The development programme will take around 10 years and is expected to create the equivalent of 414 new jobs.