Bold plans for two East Ayrshire towns have been given the green light to progress.
The ‘Place Plans’ for Auchinleck and Darvel bring together a wishlist drawn up after discussions with the local communities.
They were approved by East Ayrshire Council’s cabinet last Wednesday.
A report to the cabinet stated: “Place plans are a realistic assessment of which land-use based projects can make most impact in achieving the Scottish Government’s six qualities of successful places that is: distinctive, safe and pleasant, easy to move around, welcoming, adaptable and sustainable.
“Place plans will help guide future development and assist the council and local communities in future funding bids and in targeting resources.
“Wherever possible Place Plan are derived from community priorities identified through local community engagement activities such as a Community Action Plans (CAP).”
The Auchinleck plan focuses improving the appearance and enhancement of the local environment, including Main Street, surrounding areas, green spaces and drainage problems at Merlin Park, as well as key buildings and development sites in the village which have a detrimental impact on place.
The local steering group raised a number of areas for improvement. These include improving road and path maintenance, safety improvements for pedestrians/cyclists; litter and fly tipping and possibility of CCTV cameras and additional street lighting.
The report continues: “Other major factors include encouraging more local businesses to locate in Main Street, by promoting vacant premises and investigating the opportunity to develop a community cafe; increasing opportunities to attract tourism, by means of developing a heritage trail to promote the diverse industrial history of the village and enhancing the local attractions.
“There is also an ambition to develop potential gap sites as community spaces (seated areas / gardens). Housing provision is another issue which the community seeks to address through the opportunities of improving stock of local housing and social housing conditions.”
The Darvel and Priestland Place Plan focuses on key buildings and development sites in the town which the group feel have an adverse impact.
The community also has ambitions to develop sustainable regeneration projects for the town and develop tourism based on the extensive assets in terms of cycling /walking routes in the surrounding area and the town’s role as an established national and internationally recognised music venue.
The Darvel & Area Regeneration Trust (DART) are carrying out “The Corner Project” which will serve as the primary focus for Darvel’s regeneration plans.
The corner will host live music, performances, gatherings, café days, pop-up food stations and other community events. It will also accommodate cycle stands and bike repair station and act as a starting/finishing point for local routes around Darvel and the Irvine Valley.
“Other main priorities highlight aspects of housing, traffic and transport, community facilities and activities, environment and access, local economy heritage and tourism, community safety and wellbeing.
The place plans will now go out to consultation for six weeks. If backed, they will then go to the Scottish Government for ratification.
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