Ambitious new plans for Ayr
Have your say on the proposals
A masterplan is being launched to save Ayr from its current ‘crisis’.
Led by local professionals, a steering group completely independent of the council hopes to bring forward a bright new future.
Ayrshire Heritage Trust Limited, which will be established later this year, has launched its strategic plan in a bid to revive Ayr’s local economy and promote ‘Visions of a new Ayr’.
The public can have their say during a three-month consultation. SeeAYR hopes to transform the town with the Trust launching its prospectus and masterplan.
The proposal is set to link Ayr’s historical and cultural heritage along with creating new pathways and exciting projects that will create jobs and transform the town into a “world class destination”.
SeeAYR sets out the vision to link Ayr, Newton
and Prestwick promenade - creating an ‘Active Coast’ which will see a new harbour, cycle and footbridge.
A nod to Robert Burns will also be considered with a vision of linking Alloway and Ayr to create a history walk that will weave through the town. Other suggestions put forward are a national curling museum at Rozelle with Ayrshire recognised as the home of the winter sport.
The trust hopes to reignite interest in the crumbling Station Hotel with proposals to set up a new main station at Newton and use the hotel as a place to showcase iconic steam trains which can leave
from Ayr to head along the Ayrshire coast.
Secretary for the Ayrshire Heritage Trust John Dunlop said: “The town of Ayr is in crisis. The local economy is stagnating; tourism continues to decline. SeeAYR will be the single-biggest innovation programme in Scotland; a programme embracing best business practice and continuous improvement. Anyone interested in the threemonth consultation has been invited to offer their suggestions during the first phase.”
The full prospectus is available at www.seeayr.org