Irvine Harbour

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).

 An outline planning proposal was submitted in 2009, and outline planning permission was granted by North Ayrshire Council in 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. The mix of housing, commercial and retail space will create a lively village atmosphere.

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."

The Irvine Harbour project will play an important role in the revitalisation of the area, complementing the Irvine Town Regeneration Plan.