One of South Ayrshire's biggest sporting institutions has announced the first phase to redevelop
their home.

Ayr Rugby Club plans to regenerate their home turf of Millbrae, creating a facility to meet the club’s sporting and community ambitions for the next generation.

The club, which recently became a charity, delivers a wide range of activities, enabling community involvement in a variety of settings and levels.

Club officials  the proposals will strengthen the ability of the club to reach out further and act as a hub for sporting and community activities.

This is the first of a number of phases and the initial application includes a new access road to Millbrae with associated car parking and landscaping.

The proposals include:

· New access road to Ayr Rugby Football Club for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from Murdoch’s Lone.
· Use of the existing access to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum car park.
· Access to extend within the site
· New car parking with a total of 126 parking spaces
· New turning area and a parking area for two coaches

The proposals are the first steps in a wider multi-million pound redevelopment of Millbrae which could include an all-weather multi-sport pitch, new changing and training facilities, a community gym, clubhouse, function room and children’s play area.

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Outlining the application, Ayr Rugby Football Club chairman and project lead Brian Williamson said: “This application unlocks the development with a new access road into Millbrae.

"We have had to work closely with the National Trust for Scotland and South Ayrshire Council to negotiate the purchase of land and a right of servitude to access Millbrae through land from Murdoch’s Loan.

"They have been very helpful and recognise the importance of this community project.

"But none of this would be possible without the financial support offered by The Macdonald Legacy.”

Alan Macdonald set up the Macdonald Legacy to honour his son, former player, Barry Macdonald who died suddenly in December 2020.

The Macdonald family were long-term sponsors of Ayr Rugby Club with the Dawn company logo emblazoned on the kit for the past two decades.

Speaking of the legacy, Mr Macdonald, said: “Barry and myself greatly enjoyed being at Millbrae over the years and I wanted to do something meaningful in his memory.

"It is fitting that the legacy will provide a tremendous sporting and community hub for future generations who can enjoy Millbrae and its unique atmosphere.”

The planning application is available to view on the South Ayrshire Council planning portal.