PLANNING permission for a roundabout which connects Maybole Road onto the Bypass has been granted and could be included as part of the Corton development project.

Manse LLP recently took over the site, which has seen a number of false starts over the years, to build a housing complex alongside a new primary school and various shops.

A planning application for the housing project will be submitted in the summer and it is hoped work will begin as early as next year. Residents had been expecting a Sainsbury's but developers pulled out last year. 

A drop in session was held at the Mercure Hotel in Ayr last week to allow locals and other interested parties to review plans and ask questions about the proposals.

Colin McPherson, development director with Manse, told the Ayr Advertiser : "We have been dealing with planning issues and moving forward with the development.

"We are aware of the history and the previous proposals for the site. Sainsbury's was a big part of that. We deal with a lot of housing developments so when the opportunity came up we thought it would be a great place to build houses.

"It is a great location in a nice town and a great place for people to come and live."

Although planning has been granted for the roundabout from the Bypass to Maybole road there are still other options for the road including a traffic light system with a pedestrian crossing.

Manse LLP are also considering re-opening the cycle track which extend to Ayr Hospital grounds. 

Colin continued: "We are are at the early stages and will submit our application this year. There are a lot of people who have been waiting for the project to start for a long time.

"They just want something to happen. Planning to build a roundabout on Maybole road has already been granted."

The development team will be holding various meetings with different community councils including Alloway and Doonfoot. 

Colin concluded: "It is a really exciting project and a great addition to the the town. People just want to see something happen and we can."