THE GREEN light has been given for the £10 million regeneration of the new Ayr Riverside site.

The construction work is set to begin early next year following an agreement led by hub South West, acting along with South Ayrshire Council.

The demolition of the empty retail units which occupied the 1.2 acres of land is currently under way and once this is complete, the new development will regenerate the land between the medieval “Auld Brig” and the Victorian “New Bridge” to provide a new waterfront for the town.
Office space for up to 350 workers will also be created.

The plans for the venture were sited by the local regeneration group ‘Ayr Renaissance’ last year after it submitted a proposal for a new mixed-use development featuring housing, office space, retail units, cafes and public areas.

The project is the latest to be developed by construction and infrastructure-focused partnership, hub South West, on behalf of South Ayrshire Council. Architects Keppie Design have created the plan for the new office development.

Councillor Peter Henderson, South Ayrshire Council’s portfolio holder for resources and performance, said: “With the contractor and design team now in place we can start to bring together concrete plans to breathe new life into this landmark project.

“Work on site is already making a real difference to the local landscape with the old buildings on High Street now largely demolished, revealing the true scale of the project that will, in time, transform an historic area of Ayr’s town centre.”

Stuart Parker, Morgan Sindall’s managing director of construction in Scotland, added: “South Ayrshire Council’s ambitious masterplan is set to transform the town centre, providing much-needed regeneration.

“As the anchor development, the commercial office space will be sympathetic to Ayr’s historic architecture, while providing a modern workplace to support 350 jobs.

“It will also be the foundation for subsequent retail, residential and outdoor space which will play an important role in the town’s future, and be enjoyed for generations to come.”