South Ayrshire Local Plan

Chapter 2 - Economic Development

Introduction

The South Ayrshire economy is broad based, with a strong manufacturing sector, a well developed service sector encompassing retail, offices and tourism and a growing international freight and passenger airport facility.

Particular challenges faced by the local economy include the decline of traditionally important sectors such as engineering, textiles, coal mining and fishing. Certain areas which depended heavily on these industries have suffered particularly noticeable decline with individual areas affected disproportionately; the Newton, McCalls Avenue and West Sanquhar Road areas of Ayr being such examples.

In addition, many of the modern high technology manufacturing sector companies are externally owned and vulnerable to changes in highly competitive global markets, and significant job losses have also occurred within this sector.

Whilst unemployment rates recorded in South Ayrshire as at March 2002 (5.5%) compare equitably with other areas of Scotland, economic restructuring has resulted in localised areas of high unemployment, with this most evident in Girvan and North Ayr, where priority partnership areas have been designated to encourage new investment.

Tarbolton, Mossblown and Annbank are also recognised as requiring priority investment to aid economic regeneration. Although there are undoubted concerns with regard to specific elements of the South Ayrshire economy, there are many opportunities to strengthen its base through consolidation, diversification and a commitment to the continued emphasis of town centres as the focal point for commercial and social activity.

The Council is seeking to build on the existing strengths of the local economy, and maximise opportunities to reduce unemployment and to promote growth and inward investment.

It is considered that a fundamental element of addressing the issues of economic development will be the co-operation and co-ordination of a wide range of public and private sector organisations. This co-operation will ensure that the most benefit can be gained from the identification of, and investment in, development opportunities which might otherwise be lost.

Aims and Objectives

The economic development aims of the Plan are therefore to:

create and retain employment; and

maintain and increase the level of economic activity within South Ayrshire.

Having regard to these aims, the economic objectives of the Plan are:

to promote sustained economic growth by seeking to accommodate and encourage the continued prosperity of existing firms and to attract further inward investment by ensuing that an adequate supply and distribution of land of adequate quality is available for development where required;

to support the regeneration of communities suffering from symptoms of economic and social deprivation;

to assist the economic stabilisation and promotion of the long term economic health of rural communities and the vitality and viability of towns and villages;

to encourage the growth potential of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport for freight and passenger traffic; and

to encourage the establishment or growth in centres of excellence for training and education.

This chapter, in recognition of the broad range of diverse elements that contribute towards the local economy, is sub-divided into the following sections for ease of reference;

Training, Further & Higher Education and Research Institutions

Development Opportunities

Industry

Newton Area of Ayr

Heathfield Area of Ayr/Prestwick

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport

Port/Harbour Facilities

Office Employment

Town Centres and Retailing

Tourism

The Countryside and Rural Economy Including; Farm Diversification, Rural Businesses – Operational Requirements, Minerals, Commercial Forestry