£1.8m revamp for seafront
Parts of Ayr seafront are in line for a £1.8 million redesign – but a potential restaurant plan has been dropped.
Most people said they don’t want a diner on the former crazy golf site during a consultation process. As a result South Ayrshire Council has abandoned the idea.
However plans are pressing ahead for a £1 million bid to spruce up St Germain-enLaye Gardens and Bandstand so it can host events. Included in the makeover could be feature lighting, more seats and railings to create a boundary for ticketed events.
There is also an £800,000 proposal to transform the former putting green into a landscaped area for residents and visitors to relax. Plants, seating and lighting are among proposals.
Both sites are common good land and the majority of people who responded during the council consultation backed the ideas to spruce them up.
Walkers and cyclists would also be given priority on the esplanade and neighbouring streets under the proposals.
The move would see streets narrowed. Officials will work with the Ayrshire Roads Alliance to figure out ways to fund the roadworks.
Overall the council received 56 responses to the consultation, which was carried out by Austin-Smith Lord.
The firm presented images of designs for people to look at online.
Thirty-four of the people disagreed with constructing a glass fronted eatery on the coastline. A total of 41 supported the makeover of St Germain-en-Laye Gardens while 38 want to see the putting green revamped.
Councillors were presented with the Ayr Esplanade plans during the most recent Leadership Panel meeting.
Ruling SNP and Labour politicians at the online committee voted for officers to come back with more details on the proposals at a future meeting.
Depute council leader Brian McGinley said the plan to build a restaurant at Ayr seafront on the former crazy golf site may be be resurrected again.
Councillor McGinley, responsible for resources and performance, said:“There are groups locally who don’t want anything in their back yards. They want to keep the public realm to themselves. We need to balance the needs of residents with the fact it is a public space and a major asset for Ayr. We need to make the esplanade a destination.”
He pointed out there was a“small response”to the consultation.
He argued the site should not be allowed to remain derelict and added:“I think we should look into it (the restaurant) in the future.
“We are determined to make improvements on the seafront.”