AN SNP Councillor has urged North Ayrshire Council not to neglect the Garnock Valley in its plans to boost the infrastructure and economy of North Ayrshire as a whole.

Cllr Anthea Dickson who represents Kilbirnie and Beith said: “The green light for the Ayrshire Growth Deal is very much to be welcomed.

“However the projects within that do not in themselves bring direct benefit to the Garnock Valley.

“I urge the Council not to set aside the Lochshore Masterplan while attention inevitably turns to the Growth Deal.

“I have long campaigned for the development of Kilbirnie Loch and sincerely hope that the Masterplan proposals will be worked through to completion at the earliest.

The Lochshore Masterplan proposals include a community and visitor centre, a community woodland, planting for biomass woodland and improved access from the Systrans Route 7 cycle track.