The new town regeneration plan for Irvine outlines a vision to regenerate the town centre and kick-start the economy to create higher value jobs in the area. The plan focuses on how to make better use of Irvine’s unique town centre environment to create new opportunities for local people and attract inward investment to Irvine and the surrounding area.
The Irvine town centre regeneration plan builds upon the town’s historic beauty, its impressive coastal and riverside setting, convenient modern infrastructure and excellent transport links to Glasgow.
The plans for the town centre are designed to complement other exciting developments in and around Irvine. The redevelopment of Irvine Harbour by Urban Splash, the creation of The Ayrshire golf course and hotel at Marine Drive and business pavilions at Annickbank will all contribute to revitalisation. Other developing initiatives include the Tarryholme eco-homes initiative and development of the former NACCO site.
The new town regeneration plan for Kilwinning outlines a vision to make Kilwinning an attractive and successful town. The plan focuses on how to make better use of Kilwinning’s strong assets which include excellent transport links, key historic buildings and a recognised town centre with a college and core of independent shops. Our aim is to attract inward investment, encourage business relocation and support the local economy.
With its strong sense of community and attractive setting Kilwinning is already experiencing growth with new housing around the edges of the town. The new plan builds on the past and present to show what can be achieved over the next 10 – 15 years as we make the most of the opportunities.
Work to revitalise the Kilwinning Main Street is already underway.
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In Stevenston, the regeneration plan must ensure the town centre meets the needs of the local community, attracts new investment and creates day-to-day activity.
Three key development areas have been identified in Stevenston as the particular areas of the town where we need to focus attention, to maximise the impact of the regeneration process:
We believe that concentrating resources and investment in these key development areas will lead Stevenston to develop its business, recreational and leisure assets. Physical changes to the town centre will create a distinctive local offering and lead to new business opportunities in the area.
Developing projects include the Stevenston Business Centre at the former Grange Bingo Hall.
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The vision for Saltcoats that came clearly through the consultation process was to rejuvenate the retail and tourist offering in the town. For this to become reality, the plan must address the following issues:
Three key development areas have been identified in Saltcoats as the particular areas of the town where we need to focus attention, to maximise the impact of the regeneration process:
We believe that concentrating resources and investment in these key development areas will ensure that Saltcoats maintains its focus as the key shopping location within the three towns and reconnects the town centre with an improved waterfront.
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A theme that ran right through the consultation process in Ardrossan was that the town must become recognised as a place in its own right, not just as a gateway to Arran. Because of this the town plan seeks to create a place where people want to spend time, with the vibrant waterfront and successful marina development playing an important part.
Better access and connections with the sea
Three key development areas have been identified in Ardrossan as the particular areas of the town where we need to focus attention, to maximise the impact of the regeneration process:
We believe that concentrating resources and investment in these key development areas will provide the best opportunity to create more activity and a vibrant town centre.
Already, a number of regeneration projects are revitalising the town, such as:
54 - 56 Princes Street
93 Princes Street
Pump House
Lyric Theatre
'The Ayrshire’ will be an internationally renowned 18-hole links course complete with an adjoining hotel and holiday homes. The complex at Marine Drive, Irvine is expected to generate hundreds of jobs and add millions of pounds to our local economy. A 171 acre beachfront site, south-west of Irvine town centre, will be the location for this £60m development. The new links course will be open to the public as a pay and play course rather than soley for members only.
The £60 million project will be developed by The Ayrshire Golf Company, a joint venture between property investment and development company Credential Holdings Limited and KPT Limited.
The new course will be designed by acclaimed golf architect David McLay Kidd. His previous creations include The Castle course in St Andrews, Machrihanish Dunes at Kintyre and the celebrated Bandon Dunes in Oregon. Construction of the course will be overseen by Euan Grant, the former head green keeper of the old course at St Andrews.
The creation of this outstanding links course with all its facilities will help in developing an exciting and sustainable new future for Irvine Bay. Construction of the par 70 golf course and hotel, with clubhouse, professional’s shop, spa, restaurant and conference facilities will take around 20 months and involve at least 250 construction jobs. Once complete the development will require around 90 full time and 45 part time employees ranging from green keepers to bar tenders, caddies and hotel managers.
The development agreement between Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and The Ayrshire Golf Company was signed Autumn 2009, and now work is underway on the planning application.
Watch a short film as Brian Keating, Director, The Ayrshire Golf Company outlines the vision for 'The Ayrshire'.
]]>This 11 acre site at Irvine Harbour is the location for one of Irvine Bay’s most exciting development opportunities. This will provide an inspirational mixed-use development featuring a range of housing, leisure and business uses. In addition to a significant new-build programme, the project will see the refurbishment of the coastal watch tower and the redevelopment of the car park. A whole new community is planned with around 330 homes - many affordable for first time buyers. This will be complemented by a more active quayside, new commercial units at ground level containing new cafes, restaurants, shops and offices.
In 2008, following an extensive procurement exercise, Urban Splash was appointed as our development partner. The announcement was made at MIPIM (the international property expo).
During 2008/2009 further work is being carried out to progress the contractual aspects of the project. An outline planning proposal has now been prepared and submitted, and a decision by North Ayrshire Council is expected by March 2010.
Community consultation on the proposals is central to the planning process, with many meetings and events taking place. In March 2009 a consultation event ran over two days with displays and a model of the proposals on show. Personnel were on hand to speak to those who attended. Further consultation took place in August 2009 in advance of the planning application being submitted. Watch a short film on some of the feedback we received.
The developing plans are for a low rise mixed-use development based around a series of new streets, public squares and courtyard gardens. The new buildings will mostly be a mix of 2 and 3 storeys with a couple of taller 4 storey blocks located at important points on the site. One of the main ideas is to replicate the character of an old harbour town with tight weaving streets, a mix of surprising spaces and a range of different building types and forms.
On completion, which will take 5-10 years, this project will create a significant riverside development that will raise the profile of Irvine Bay at a regional and national level. This will include over 300 new homes and 30,000 sq ft of new business space.
Tom Bloxham, Chairman of Urban Splash:
"By focussing on quality architecture, creating a strong sense of place and by working in partnership with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and North Ayrshire Council, we can deliver a mixed-use scheme that will help transform Irvine into a great place where people will want to live and work."
]]>An early action project has been setting the trend for regeneration in Ardrossan. A derelict office at 54-56 Princes Street has been turned into two modern shops in a project designed to kick-start regeneration in the area.
Two new high quality retail units were created. One is leased to an Italian delicatessen, a new-start business by two sisters living locally in Saltcoats. The other was sold to an expanding Kilbirnie-based kitchens and bathrooms business, for use as a new showroom.
The project is complete and the shops are occupied.
The former bank building in one of Ardrossan’s main streets has been refurbished and now provides premises for the Scottish Training Foundation (STF). Completed in June 2008, the refurbishment and extension of this stand-alone two storey building by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has provided 3,800 sq ft of lettable office space.
The property had lain empty for about six years and added to the general rundown appearance of the town. Its transformation is an important step in the regeneration of Ardrossan's town centre.
Having refurbished the building Irvine Bay Regeneration Company now lease it to STF. The STF provides training to help people from North Ayrshire into employment. 93 Princes Street provides the perfect size and location for their new training centre.
This project involved the successful redevelopment of an attractive, ‘B’ listed brick building, formerly used as a pump house for the port operations and owned by Clydeport Properties. The building provides an important architectural link with the port’s industrial history and is situated in a key, visible location adjoining the marina.
Ardrossan’s very own Italian restaurant, Cecchini's, has now opened for business in the beautifully refurbished pump house on the edge of the booming Ardrossan marina. Already the restaurant is attracting business from yacht owners and locals, as well as attracting passing trade from the Arran ferry.
A new coastal park along the length of Irvine Bay would make the most of our amazing natural resources. The idea behind the park is to encourage regeneration by promoting recreation and attracting more visitors to the area.
The 14 miles of Irvine Bay’s coastline is incredibly attractive, with stunning views over to Arran and the Ailsa Craig. It is a great place to enjoy the outdoors. The vision for the coastal park is to provide better facilities for walking, cycling, wildlife tourism, horse riding and watersports, so Irvine Bay becomes a great coastal destination.
In 2008 Land Use Consultants carried out a scoping study to assess the potential of a coastal park. This includes lessons from elsewhere, looking at other successful coastal parks across northern Europe that we can learn from.
In autumn 2009 Gross Max Landscape architects carried out a feasibility study at Irvine Beach Park. The study looked at ways to redevelop the park, providing better links with the beach itself, improving facilities and attractiveness.
One important idea is to develop coastal beacons and incorporate these as iconic landmarks in the park. The coastal beacons would be designed to be awe-inspiring and help to change perceptions of the area, contributing to the economic and cultural renaissance of Irvine Bay.
The formal designation of the “Irvine Bay Coastal Park” may be a few years off yet. However, we are working with partners to develop projects that will eventually be integrated into a coastal park around the bay.
Examples of these projects include:
Annickbank is a prestigious 6 acre development site, one mile east of Irvine town centre and close to the A78 in Ayrshire, Scotland. Speyroc were chosen as the preferred developer to bring forward the first phase of an office campus, with work starting late in 2009. The new development will create 28,000 sq ft of high quality office space during phase 1. The much-needed new office accommodation is expected to attract jobs and businesses into this area of Ayrshire.
The new office pavilions at Annickbank in Irvine are being designed to set the highest possible standards for sustainability. The buildings will be built to BREEAM Excellent and an A Rated Energy Performance Certificate.
Planning permission has been secured and work started in December 2009.
]]>We are working with Irvine Housing Association to develop Irvine Bay’s first eco housing development, leading the way with sustainable housing in Scotland. The project will include the development of 250 eco homes on an 8 acre site in the Tarryholme area of Irvine, Ayrshire. The new homes will be available for sale or rent, as well as through the Homestake scheme which helps first time buyers onto the home ownership ladder.
Drawing on the best eco building practice from the UK and Europe, the new homes will be designed to be as energy efficient as possible, using only sustainable sources of energy and encouraging maximum recycling opportunities.
A masterplan for the site was completed in Spring 2009. A survey into the potential opportunities for renewable energy options was completed by the Centre for Alternative Technologies in February 2008. A further technical appraisal is now being undertaken by the Housing Association and ASSIST architects, with expected completion early summer 2010.
In recognition of the importance of the natural environment in Irvine Bay, and in pursuit of good practice, we have carried out a Strategic Environmental Assessment of our plans and programmes. The Environment Report is complete and outlines a number of opportunities to ensure we minimise any negative environmental impacts and promote opportunities to enhance the environment through our development activities.
It is our aspiration that the regeneration projects we develop enhance the fantastic natural environment in the Irvine Bay area.
With this in mind, we are promoting the redevelopment of our local town centres in this area of North Ayrshire to encourage use of local service and use of public transport. We are promoting office developments with the highest possible environmental standards, demonstrating best practice in this field.
In addition, we are keen to encourage appreciation of the wildlife in this area of Scotland. The Irvine Bay area currently suffers from land degeneration and contamination, and we are working to decontaminate land and bring it back into use.
]]>The refurbishment of Main Street, Kilwinning is one of the key development areas highlighted in the Kilwinning regeneration plan. Land Engineering is the appointed contractor and work is currently under way and will be completed during 2010.
The historic town of Kilwinning is one of the five towns in the Irvine Bay area of North Ayrshire in Scotland.
Phase 1
Started 20 April for 30 weeks, Main Street reconstruction from Almswall Road to Abbey Green car park access; Church Street improvement works.
Phase 2
Started 22 January 2010 for 30 weeks, remainder of the Main Street.
The refurbishment of Kilwinning Main Street is designed to create renewed interest and activity in the town centre of this North Ayrshire town. Paving, seating, lighting and landscaping will all contribute to make this a dynamic area that will attract new business, create jobs and increase visitor numbers.
Plans include better sign posting, improved shop fronts and vacant shop units reoccupied to transform the atmosphere, with a more diverse array of shops and improved opportunities for evenings. The Abbeygate area will be developed to create an outdoor space for markets, festivals and town activities. A business enterprise centre is proposed for the Main Street with accommodation for new businesses, space for local business networking events and links with James Watt College.
Together these activities can encourage new retail businesses into the town, support new jobs and lead to the wider regeneration of the area. Pedestrian activity will be increased, and a safe and appealing environment created, to act as a catalyst for future investment.
Many of the ideas for the town centre were developed through a project with pupils at Kilwinning Academy.
As part of the contract, Land Engineering will provide 12 skills-based training positions with 312 weeks of training. The 6 trainees who were taken on during phase 1 have all been taken on full time by Land Engineering. 6 further trainees are gaining work experience during phase 2. Training opportunties are also being provided to pupils of Kilwinning Academy.
This is the first time that Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has built in targeted recruitment and training as part of the tender for a large contract.
]]>This important Ardrossan landmark building has been refurbished to create flats and a retail unit. The facade of the Lyric has been restored to provide a dramatic frontage for the new building development.
After lying empty for years, the building has been brought back to life by Hovepark Properties, with substantial backing from Irvine Bay Regeneration Company.
The “B” Listed Building, opened in 1914, will enjoy a new lease of life as high quality shops and flats, bringing life back to a wonderful building. There is now a retail unit on the ground floor, with a combination of one and two bedroomed flats.
Work has involved restoring the frontage on Princes Street and Hill Street to incorporate a new ground floor shop and two first floor flats. The rear section of the old structure was demolished to make way for six high-quality new build flats with an exterior design in keeping with the retained frontage.
The regeneration company provided gap-funding of £350,000 to preserve the frontage of the building. This section saw the creation of a shop and two one-bedroom flats. The building to the rear has been demolished, and the new building has created six two-bedroom flats.
]]>In 2008 pupils from Ardrossan Academy painted a large mural on Ardrossan sea front at the derelict site of the old St Peters school. The mural featured vibrant images taken from old pictures of the area.
Pupils also undertook a landscaping project to create a small garden area in front of the mural, working with the Scottish Training Foundation as part of their SQA Rural Skills Award. The garden is planted with a variety of species that are suitable for a coastal environment and coloured gravel has been laid to imitate the sea and sand of a beach scene.
The original artwork has been deteriorating because of the weather, and a new mural is now underway. Pupils are working with well-known local artist Alison Thomas on a project called Talking Images, which involves creative explorations of young people’s hopes. The mural is just one of a range of outcomes from this project. It should be completed just after Easter 2010.
]]>A series of exciting and innovative 'coastal beacons’ is being developed along Irvine Bay’s beaches and seafront, providing points of interest and drawing local people and visitors to the waterside in this popular area of Scotland.
The first of these beacons is 'Gems among the rocks' which has been incorporated into a £2 million sea defences project constructed by North Ayrshire Council at Saltcoats Quay. White marble rocks have been placed among the black boulders which are lit up at night. The white and black rock represents the salt and coal from Saltcoats historic origins of salt panning and coal mining.
An additional phase is now underway to introduce lighting on to Saltcoats pier. The pier is a historic and iconic structure and lighting it up at night will draw attention to it and celebrate this part of Saltcoats' history. Scotland's first female sea captain set sail from the pier and a large fleet of ships used to sail to Ireland and the Americas.
Other coastal beacons are proposed as part of the coastal park proposal, which is designed to make the most of our amazing natural resources. The beacons would be designed to increase interest in the area and change perceptions - helping the economic and cultural rennaissance of Irvine Bay.
]]>Working with pupils in our local schools provides an effective way of involving communities in the regeneration of Irvine Bay. We are developing resources and projects that will mean that young people can have real influence on the regeneration process. Students will be able to participate in the regeneration of the bay – and learn at the same time!
Regeneration is not just about improving the buildings in this area of North Ayrshire, it’s about creating jobs and improving peoples' lives, so education is a fundamental way of bringing about this kind of change.
Our team of education experts are working with local teachers and young people to bring the benefits of regeneration right into the classroom. Children and young people will be able to get involved in planning local regeneration projects and seeing them develop. Their knowledge of regeneration and their involvement in the process of transforming Irivne Bay will mean they are able to benefit from new opportunities in the area as it is gradually changed.
Some of the projects have attracted interest from educationalists in Scotland as examples of good practice.
A number of education projects are already under way.
]]>A Housing Expo could attract interest in the Irvine Bay area and help to ensure that quality and innovation are in the forefront of our developments. Housing Expos can kickstart the economy in the area, but they also provide an important way of focussing on innovation, design and environmental issues. As part of our strategy to do this, we plan to develop a housing expo which will showcase housing development in this area of North Ayrshire to the rest of Scotland and demonstrate the high quality approach to design across our housing projects.
]]>The site of the former Grange Bingo Hall in Stevenston has been purchased by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company for redevelopment as a business centre. The existing structure has been demolished and a new business centre will be created providing new business space in small unit sizes. The acommodation will total some 8,000 sq ft. The development is in response to the need for good quality business accommodation to stimulate the local economy, encourage new businesses to start and to attract business into the area.
North Ayrshire Council has indicated that the proposed purpose of the development is acceptable and a project team has been appointed to take forward plans for the centre.
Demolition work was completed in December 2009.
]]>The Evolution skate park has added a new bike track to its growing range of facilities. The track, funded by North Ayrshire’s Community Planning Partnership and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, now allows access to mountain, suspension and trail bikes and is a valuable addition to Evolution's range of activities.
Evolution, the biggest outdoor skate park in the UK has been operational for three years and is North Ayrshire's biggest youth diversion project with a membership of around 3,000. The park is supervised at all times and is open from 10am until 10pm, weather permitting. The park facilities include a shop, kitchen, TV room, first aid, toilets and CCTV. The park caters for in-line skaters, skate boarders and BMX bikes as well as the new cycle track.
Pupils at Irvine Royal Academy have been inspired by the 'i sea' theme, part of the vision for regeneration from Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. This is the third year we have run this project.
The theme is all about reconnecting with the sea and pupils use this as the context for their curricular learning in a variety of different subjects. Pupils use the theme in creative writing for newsletters (Language and ICT); collage-designed cushions (Home Economics); paintings, pottery and exhibits (Technical and Art). The whole project culminates in an exhibition at the Maritime Museum and the production of a video about their learning experience.
The 'i sea' project was introduced for the first time in 2007/8 and has been running successfully ever since.
The resources provided by Irvine Bay allow pupils to work with more specialist materials and produce a higher standard of work. Several of the teachers have commented that the practical outcomes achieved by some of the pupils in S2 would meet the criteria set by the SQA Higher exam.
In addition, by displaying pupils’ work in a ‘real’ environment for public view gives their learning journey purpose and relevance, and motivates them all to engage and achieve.
We were delighted to learn in 2009 that the 'i sea' initiative has walked off with top prize in the Technology Teachers Association Award for Best Cross-Curricular Project. Following the impact and success of the project last year, Learning and Teaching Scotland are filming the project and plan to use it as a case study.
]]>Through close collaboration between Irvine Bay and Speyroc, pupils at Greenwood Academy have been involved in designing branding for the new business park at Annickbank, Irvine.
140 second year pupils were set the challenge in June 2009 by Speyroc Ltd, the builders of Annickbank Business Park. Their task was to create and design a logo and branding suitable for a business park. The Speyroc team got involved and provided a detailed brief similar to that used with professional marketing companies in the establishing of an identity for the park.
The pupils at Greenwood were invited to research marketing, branding and logo designs and present their ideas for a suitable business park logo to a group from Speyroc which included an architect, marketing specialists and managing director. The Speyroc team heard the presentations from the top 10 groups and provided valuable feedback to the pupils.
Although the exercise simply mirrors the actual process used to create an identity for the park, this project adds value to topics in the Art and Design curriculum and enables the pupils to apply their learning in a real life context.
The Art and Design department was delighted to be given this opportunity to work in partnership with a local development and to enable them to replicate a ‘real’ project within the curriculum.
The project has developed into a positive relationship with Haa Design, with pupils designing a sculpture for the entranceway to the park. It is hoped that this will be erected on the site.
]]>Pupils from Kilwinning Academy were invited to design an anti-litter campaign for the town in an innovative initiative led by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, and supported by ‘Promoting Kilwinning’ and North Ayrshire Council’s Cleansing Department.
The school ran a competition to create an effective campaign to use during Kilwinning’s Clean-Up Week. The first-year groups, each of 20, were organised entirely by the pupils and the project has encouraged creativity, communication and teamwork.
The winning presentation provided the blueprint for an anti-litter campaign for Kilwinning that includes banners, posters and music.
North Ayrshire Council supported the launch and provided the pupils with litter sticks and clothes covers. ‘Keep Scotland Beautiful’ provided their litter pack – ponchos, stickers, litter sticks, etc.
]]>The primary schools in Ardrossan are exploring the dog fouling problem in their town and designing a poster campaign to influence their parents and families.
The project is a result of a meeting between Irvine Bay, Councillor Pete McNamara, the Head Teacher of St. Peter’s primary and North Ayrshire Council.
There is already a North Ayrshire wide campaign called ‘Paws for Thought’ led by North Ayrshire Council and the Irvine Bay education project will connect with this wider initiative that aims to promote responsible dog walking in the area.
]]>Pupils from St Anthony's Primary School, Saltcoats and St Matthew's, Ardrossan have been recording their aspirations for their towns. Some of their comments will be included as inscriptions on the new sea defences.
During summer 2008 we held a very successful event in Saltcoats town centre when we encouraged local people to share their thoughts and aspirations for the future of the town by leaving us a 'message in a bottle'. This project replicated the idea in the classroom.
We designed a workshop for pupils. The workshops encouraged the pupils to think about the future they want for their towns – how they want to feel, what they want to see and what they might hear in the towns. These ideas were then written down on postcards and collected at the end of the workshops. The thoughts on the postcards will be added to those already collected. A project called 'Our talking wall' will use a number of the quotes that have been gathered and will inscribe them on to granite plaques that will be attached to the sea wall along the promenade at Saltcoats.
]]>Pupils from Kilwinning Academy were involved in the early planning of Kilwinning's Main Street refurbishment.
The project ran from March to May 2008 with the pupils from Kilwinning Academy participating in a Space Unlimited project commissioned by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company.
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company wanted pupils from Kilwinning Academy to explore local peoples' perceptions of Kilwinning town centre and look at how the proposed streetscape improvements could improve the quality of the environment to make it a location that residents and businesses could be proud of and visitors could appreciate and enjoy. The pupils were asked:
"What would make Kilwinning town centre get respect?"
The project was led completely by the young people selected with support from Space Unlimited Coach, Liz Gardiner and teachers Neil Barlow and Jan Miller.
The project launch was held at the Claremont Hotel, Kilwinning on 7th March 2008 and was attended by representatives from Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and Austin Smith Lord. The project got off to a great start with the young people presenting their initial perceptions of the town centre.
As part of the project the group visited Buchanan Street, Glasgow and Linthouse, Govan to find out how improving streetscapes can have a positive effect on the area and its community.
The group then chose 4 separate areas to focus on:
All of these contributed to the final plans for the town centre, which are now being implemented.
Watch a podcast produced by the young people of Kilwinning Academy of their experiences.
]]>Work is underway at Trinity Church in the centre of Irvine, to protect, preserve and secure the building.
Trinity Church is a landmark A-listed building that occupies a prominent site within Irvine town centre. Over many years the building had fallen into a severe state of disrepair. Now Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Trinity Church Trust, has undertaken an initial piece of work to secure the building as a future development opportunity.
The current work began with the removal of a pigeon infestation and subsequent clean-up of the building in April 2009.
R & R Construction were selected as contractors. In the course of 2009 a new roof has been put on the building and a comprehensive survey of the church spire carried out. This work was completed in February 2010.
As a result of the survey, North Ayrshire Council has provided additional funding to carry out initial upgrade works to the spire. This work is ongoing.
]]>Irvine Bay has purchased the NACCO facility at Portland Road, Irvine. The site comprises the production facility and offices extending to some 350,000 sq ft on a site of around 37 acres.
Plans for the redevelopment of the site are currently being explored.
Irvine Bay Developments Limited now has vacant possession of the site and former production buildings at Portland Road Irvine. Our short term aim is to demolish the existing industrial buildings and bring forward new industrial provision.
We are currently exploring the possibility of making business incubator space available, once demolition is complete.
]]>Young people in Kilwinning are benefiting from work experience opportunities on the project to refurbish Kilwinning Main Street.
The work experience opportunities are available with Land Engineering, the contracted developers. The project started on 20th April 2009 and is expected to complete in August 2010.
Work experience opportunties include working with the civil engineers on site, marketing and admin roles at the office in Fenwick and opportunities for budding mechanics in the workshop.
This work experience is additional to the normal S3 and S4 work experience and provides more intensive and longer specialist placements for pupils who are pursuing work and careers in these particular areas.
]]>The success of the Marina at Ardrossan Harbour is leading to a project to extend the berths and facilities.
Irvine Bay is in negotiations with Cydeport to clean up the 30 acre former Shell site, providing infrastructure for residential and commercial development.
A joint venture is being negotiated, which would provide for the development of the now fully occupied marina. Intially a further 165 berths would be possible, rising to create around 500 berths over time.
This project involves the development of a prominent area of the quayside, providing facilities which would be attractive to marina users and the hundreds of thousands of ferry users that pass through Ardrossan each year on the way to Arran.
]]>A feasibility study has been commissioned to explore an archaeology project in the centre of Kilwinning.
A community archaeological project was proposed in the Kilwinning town regeneration plan to stimulate tourism and community activity within the burgh. There would also be opportunities to link with education.
This feasibility study seeks to identify a viable structure and funding package for a community archaeological project in Kilwinning.
Rathmell Archaeology have been commissioned to support Kilwinning Preservation Society to produce the report. Rathmell are keen to work with pupils from local schools and opportunities are currently being explored.
]]>The Museum of Ayrshire Country Life and Costume at Dalgarven Mill has been extended to create a new Display and Restoration Centre.
This new extension, which is now complete, replaces the derelict building that was constructed by the Manpower Services in the mid-1980’s. The new facility provides additional space to display the museum’s collection of large historical industrial and agricultural pieces and provides space for temporary displays and features. The new building also provides space to house and restore new pieces. Construction was undertaken by Northacre Environmental Trust.
]]>Ardrossan South Beach is to become the location for a beach pavilion, part of our coastal beacons strategy. Plans are developing to replace the existing toilet block area at Ardrossan South Beach to provide a new café/food-retail space and toilets.
Although this is not a large project, it is a significant one for the regeneration of the area, so we set up an architectural competition to encourage some innovative ideas for a building design that will reflect its physical setting, the requirement for public services and the economic potential of the site.
There were 69 separate entries to the competition. From these we have drawn up a shortlist of 5. Submission by end January 2010.
We hope that this project, although modest in scale, will generate significant publicity, highlighting this beautiful seafront location as well as the vigour and inventiveness of Scottish contemporary architecture.
]]>A new coffee shop has been created at the Scottish Maritime Museum at Irvine Harbour. This important development follows the loss of the old coffee shop through storm damage which resulted in a very marked decline in visitor footfall for the harbourside section of the Maritime Museum.
The new coffee shop provision has provided a greatly enhanced facility for visitors and locals. The former coffee shop was very popular with locals and community groups.
The coffee shop provision has created the equivalent of 4 full time jobs and operates on a seven day week basis throughout the year.
The capacity takes full coach parties and opens up new opportunities at Irvine Harbour.
The funding support provided by Irvine Bay through the Local Regeneration Fund met the gap in the capital funding of the project.
]]>Irvine Bay have completed a deal to buy the car park site on the south side of the marina from Clydeport. Due diligence on the ground conditions is nearing completion.
The proposal is for contemporary office accomodation and a hotel, with possibilities for a small cafe and chandlery. There will also be public car parking and a relocated feature boat park.
]]>The former Jack Miller Hotel building at 78 Princes Street in Ardrossan will provide new, high quality office accommodation for businesses in the area.
Funding was recently secured for the project from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund. It signals an important step forward in the regeneration of Ardrossan town centre.
Plans are to bring this B listed building back to life, offering around 2,700 sq ft of good quality office space.
The building is located in the town centre close to Ardrossan Town and South Beach railway stations and bus routes.
Contractors have been appointed to the project and started on site late October 2009. Completion is expected summer 2010.
]]>The derelict Harbour Bar has been purchased by Irvine Bay and we are currently seeking a private investor to work with us to bring this exciting venture to life.
In September 2009 a grant was awarded from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund to be used to bring the building back into use in partnership with a private investor.
Repairs are being carried out on the external fabric of the building, improving the appearance. At the same time we are looking for Expressions of Interest from private investors to complete the refurbishment.
The building is suitable for a variety of uses such as retail, restaurant or bar, office or residential. Irvine Bay will work with a joint venture partner to plan and complete a suitable scheme.
Interested parties should contact Irvine Bay now.
]]>The old station building at 2 Vernon Street is being refurbished to create commercial space in the centre of the Ayrshire town of Saltcoats.
This project is going ahead with funding from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund.
The building has been purchased and contractors started work on site in late October 2009. Completion is expected summer 2010.
Watch our podcast of mother and daughter Sheena Watt and Joyce Hall hosting a guided tour of the building, sharing their memories of this well known Saltcoats landmark.
]]>A pilot scheme is underway to improve the shop fronts in Saltcoats town centre.
The pilot scheme involves the refurbishment of several shops in the centre, with three local retailers taking part. For these sketch designs have been prepared, reviewed and subsequently approved in principle. Planning and building warrants are now being obtained for the proposed works.
If the pilot scheme is successful, the main programme to bring a whole new look to Saltcoats' shopping streets will begin in 2010.
]]>Plans to improve the central Bridgegate area in Irvine are underway.
The refurbishment of Bridgegate House will involve a facelift for the property, radically altering the look of this building and creating a more contemporary feel to this area of Irvine's shopping centre.
Ian Springford Associates have created a design to transform the exterior of Bridgegate House.
Two designs were considered by North Ayrshire Council, both transforming the look of Bridgegate House, creating an appearance which is more in keeping with the scale of the surrounding buildings.
North Ayrshire Council opted for a new glazed look for the fascia of Bridgegate House, replacing the existing frontage with a cleaner, brighter and more modern look. The frame of the building will extend down to street level in columns, creating a walkway in front of shops.
The shop fronts will be refurbished, and there is potential for a feature meeting area or café at the far end of the pedestrianised Bridgegate area.
Joint funding of £3.3 million has been identified for the refurbishment works with North Ayrshire Council investing £2.5 million and Irvine Bay Regeneration Company investing a further £0.8 million.
]]>Scottish Enterprise and Irvine Bay are working together to revisit the masterplan and generate a new development strategy for this important site, which currently belongs to Scottish Enterprise.
The masterplan should be complete in the next few months and Irvine Bay hopes to be involved with the continuing development of the park.
]]>Irvine Bay’s ‘i live’ theme will be the context for learning for young people at Irvine Royal Academy and Auchenharvie Academy in an inter-disciplinary project, with a range of cross curricular work based on this theme.
The main aspect of the project is a challenge set by Ryan Homes, a local construction business, for the pupils to consider the environment and design modern, social housing. Pupil groups will carry out research in all curricular areas and present their ideas to business partners, the council and the local community. The potential to exhibit this work for community viewing will be explored.
The project will involve using skills in language, expressive arts, technology, health and wellbeing, social studies, science and maths.
120 people took part in Irvine Bay's first ever fun run on Sunday 16 August 2009.
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company was delighted to support the family-friendly event which was organised by local running-enthusiast, Jim Montgomerie, also known as The Running Kilt.
The 10k route took participants along the coast on a rather windy summer Sunday.
Jim Montgomerie:
“I’ve seen so many people out running in the area which inspired me to organise the event. I was really thrilled to see so many runners at this first ever Irvine Bay fun run, and making it a huge success. I’m already looking forward to making this an annual event, placing Irvine Bay firmly on the running event map.”
Watch an interview with Jim Montgomerie about the success of the event and his aspiration to expand the route and make it an annual event.
]]>Fundraising activity is underway to raise £30,000 to provide new all-weather tennis courts in Saltcoats.
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has pledged to meet £50,000 if the local community can raise the remainder of the £80,000 costs.
Over summer 2009 the cause was helped by leading tennis coach Judy Murray – mother of world tennis number 3 Andy Murray – who gave her backing to promote the need to resurface community tennis courts in the town.
Judy Murray was helping to promote the work of the local steering group, The Glebe Tennis Association, which hopes to raise the remaining funding to fix the courts, which are in a state of disrepair.
An application has now been made to SportScotland and a decision expected spring 2010.
When the courts are resurfaced the facility will be open free of charge for everyone in the community to promote healthy living and increase tennis participation among local youngsters.
Judy Murray:
I wanted to help because I believe everyone has the right to play sport and because these tennis courts are in such a bad way, the local community is missing out.
]]>The first ever Big on the Beach took place on Ardrossan South Beach on 3 - 7 August 2009.
Big on the Beach is a festival of fun, creativity and exercise for young people. Irvine Bay Regeneration Company worked with North Ayrshire Council and Young Scot to organise the event.
Irvine Bay strongly believe that the coast is our main asset and that improvements to the seafront and investment in related activities can re-ignite local regeneration opportunites and take advantage of the new emerging day-visitor and short-stay markets.
A key feature of our commitment to our coast and community was our first ever Big on the Beach event. This week-long community festival of fun and creativity was supported and delivered by local partners and community groups. It provided a wide range of free events and activities including arts, sports, dance, music, media and lifestyle opportunities.
In 2010, Big on the Beach will take place from 2 - 6 August. Look out for more information.
Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company:
“The Council and Young Scot put on a fantastic range of activities, which we were delighted to fund. Regeneration is about more than improving the physical infrastructure of an area, it is about engaging with and enthusing the people who live in that area. This event promotes Irvine Bay as a fantastic area in which to live and to play, and we were happy to see so many young people enjoying themselves.”
]]>Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, together with Homecoming Scotland and North Ayrshire Council, supported a unique event staged by Irvine Burns Club which ran as part of the Homecoming Scotland finale celebrations.
Dear Mister Burns formed the heart of a celebration weekend in Irvine, featuring ceilidhs, concerts and other Burns-related activities.
The exhibition, staged in Irvine Burns Club’s Wellwood Museum and the local Harbour Arts Centre in November 2009, was a fascinating collection of handwritten letters to Irvine Burns Club from leading historical figures, including Charles Dickens, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Theodore Roosevelt, and Sean Connery. It included letters of acceptance dating from 1828, shortly after the Club was formed, until the present day and demonstrates the global legacy of Burns as an international Scottish icon.
Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive:
Urban regeneration is about changing attitudes as much as changing landscapes and “Dear Mister Burns” and its associated events and activities created a sense of civic pride in their town for the local community in Irvine as well as providing an opportunity for visitors to experience and enjoy something that was quite unique. We were delighted to be involved in supporting an event that will have a long-term positive impact within Irvine by recognising the town’s significant contribution in the shaping of Robert Burns.
]]>Irvine Bay is working with the owner of land at Kilwinning station on short-term improvements and permanent development to the site.
Buildings have been demolished, the site has been cleared, and landscaping improvements have been made, making this an excellent development opportunity in the Irvine Bay area.
The removal of this eysore and tidying of the site has immediately improved the area around the station and is expected to spark further regeneration in the area.
Irvine Bay is providing a refundable grant to the owner for the demolition of the buildings and the clearing of the site, which will be repaid when the site is developed.
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