A77 underpass plan to support £48m scheme
A new underpass will be built under the A77 to support a £48m housing plan on the outskirts of Ayr, if the plans get the green light.
The Post reported in October how 350 new houses could be coming to Ayr, along with shops, food and drink outlets and offices near the Holmston Old Toll, on the eastern side of Holmston Roundabout.
Glasgow-based property consultancy firm Iceni Projects Ltd, have lodged an application in principle to South Ayrshire Council, on behalf of their client James Craig Ltd, a firm which owns Ayr Auction Mart and land at the Old Toll. The application is “pending consideration” on the council’s online planning portal.
Developers are seeking planning permission in principle for a “residential development” for as many as 350 homes, along with class 1 “commercial developments” such
as retail and class 2 “professional services” and class 3 food and drink outlets and office space, associated access, landscaping and drainage works. The site is located to the southeast of Holmston Roundabout, Ayr.
As many as 88 homes would be earmarked for affordable housing, 110 jobs will be created during the construction phase and the total cost of the build is expected to be £48m.
And a new pedestrian/cyclist underpass under the A77 would be provided to facilitate a “safe crossing” of the A77 for them.
The developers first showed their intentions last year and followed it up with a live interactive web-based consultation.
In the wake of their consultation the firm said they received 66 feedback forms but the majority of the respondents “did not agree” with the principle of development at Holmston, while 10 per cent “did agree.”
Developers claim the proposals would provide “significant economic benefits” and that the direct and wider economic benefits of the proposed development includes: resident expenditure £9.1m (per annum) and council tax £450,000 (per annum)
The developers added: “The proposed development would provide a significant contribution to the community by providing new homes, including much needed affordable homes- and new active travel infrastructure, including a safe crossing of the A77.”