This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Funding for North Ayshire
09/02/2007
A £4.45 million investment programme to support regeneration and build around 200 new affordable homes in North Ayrshire was announced today.
Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty said:
"This is great news for the whole of Ayrshire - it highlights the Scottish Executive's commitment to building safe, vibrant communities in which people will want to live, work and invest."
While visiting Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company (URC), Mr McNulty confirmed the URC will receive £1.15 million of early action funding, which will be used to rejuvenate Ardrossan town centre.
The investment will be used convert two important listed buildings on Princes Street.
The former Royal Bank of Scotland Building, which has been vacant for six years, will be turned into office space. And the former Clydesdale Bank Building, which has been empty for almost two years, will be converted into retail units.
The aim of the funding is to stimulate growth in Irvine Bay, and the surrounding areas, by attracting more private sector investment.
As part of this package, the Deputy Minister also confirmed that the Executive will be funding Architecture + Design Scotland to provide advice and support to Executive URCs, including Irvine Bay. This will ensure high quality design is a key aspect of regeneration work.
Mr McNulty also announced the acquisition of a site by Irvine Housing Association at Tarryholme, near Irvine, for around 200 new homes.
Tarryholme was acquired with financial support of £3.3 million from Communities Scotland. A mixture of affordable homes for rent, low-cost ownership, and homes for sale, are set to be developed on the site.
Irvine Housing Association envisage the development as an 'eco-village' with best-practice designs being considered to achieve eco-homes' 'excellent' standard.
The Deputy Communities Minister said:
"The Executive is investing £1.2 billion in providing quality affordable homes throughout Scotland. The acquisition of this site by Irvine Housing Association, supported by Communities Scotland, offers an opportunity to develop high quality homes for rent and low-cost ownership through Homestake.
"The £1.15 million funding for regeneration is also a hugely important step in attracting new investment and jobs to Ardrossan town centre.
"This will help to revitalise the area by creating more choice and diversity for local people and businesses."
Chair of the Irvine Bay URC, Baroness Ford of Cunninghame, said:
"Today's announcement is a tremendous boost for the Irvine Bay URC and our ambitious plans for the area. If we are to realise our vision for Irvine Bay it is important that we have the support of the Scottish Executive and it is fitting that the Minister chose to make the announcement here in Ardrossan as this will be the first community to benefit from our efforts.
"Since our launch in August last year we have been working closely with our partners at North Ayrshire Council and have held a series of public consultation meetings to gauge the needs and desires of the local communities."