South Ayrshire Local Plan

Development Opportunities

The Plan identifies a number of development opportunities throughout South Ayrshire. In order to highlight and promote the most significant of these, the Council has produced the “Development Opportunities Brochure”. This brochure is complementary to the Local Plan and will be regularly updated as further opportunities emerge. It provides a portfolio of sites under three headings to aid potential developers by providing succinct information in a user friendly format.

Whilst the promotion and development of the identified sites will contribute towards meeting the overall objectives of the Plan, the redevelopment and re-use of certain opportunity sites is of particular significance. The following section of the Plan considers this matter in greater detail.

Vacant and Derelict Land

The process of change is accepted as an essential element of economic survival. Some of this change involves processes or activities which are unable to be accommodated in existing buildings. This cyclical change has, in some locations, resulted in significant areas of vacant or derelict land and buildings. Most vacant or derelict land is located within, or very close to settlements and is usually serviced. These features make such land a wasted resource which could be maximised for economic development potential. Use of this resource would also assist in improving the environment (for example by removing derelict property).

The Council, in recognition of the potential that these sites offer for sustainable economic development and environmental improvement has produced a Redevelopment Opportunities Table as part of the Development Opportunities Brochure. The Redevelopment Opportunities Table lists all vacant and derelict land sites included in the brochure as May 2002. Each of the sites has been assessed as to the most appropriate type of use for that site. Reflecting the desire to redevelop the sites, a flexible approach has been taken and a range of potentially acceptable uses have been identified for most of the sites. This table is replicated as Table 1 in Appendix I. Table 1 will be given due regard by the Council in considering and promoting development at the opportunity locations.

POLICY OPP1

The Council will actively encourage redevelopment proposals on development opportunity sites, and will seek to direct development to these locations in preference to greenfield sites, in accordance with the Redevelopment Opportunities Table 1 of Appendix I of this plan.

NOTE
The Proposals Map identifies the sites where policy OPP1 applies. This identifies the range of uses assessed as being appropriate to each site. The uses outlined are not always exclusive. Proposals for alternative uses other than those listed may be viewed favourably provided that no other site specific policies of the Plan indicate otherwise.

Town Centre Opportunity Sites

Town centres are the focus of a range of retail, business, service and community activities, resulting in a mix of often interdependent land uses which contribute to a sense of place and the whole town’s sense of identity.

A number of identified opportunity sites are located within, or adjacent to established town centres. These sites are of high importance in terms of providing development opportunities which will support and strengthen the vitality and vibrancy of these areas and consequently making them attractive for continued private sector investment.

These sites are considered to be unique resources to town centres in that they offer opportunities for investment through the comprehensive redevelopment of sizeable areas that are capable of accommodating modern forms of retailing. So as not to lose these opportunities for comprehensive redevelopment, there will be a presumption against piecemeal development that could prejudice the redevelopment of the wider site. Furthermore, they represent an important element in any assessment of schemes for major retail, leisure, office or other town centre uses which may be proposed outwith town centres. (The Retail Section of the Plan gives additional comment and guidance in relation to this issue).

POLICY OPP2

The Council will safeguard and promote the comprehensive redevelopment
of the following sites for appropriate town centre uses in preference to
other potential out-of-centre sites:

Site Reference	Site Address	Site Size (Ha.)
TC 01	Portland Street, Troon	1.65
TC 02	Beresford Terrace, Ayr	1.0
TC 03	Vicarton Street, Girvan	2.83
TC 04	North Shore Road, Troon	0.73
TC 05	Affleck's, Ayr	0.22
TC 06	Mill Street, Ayr	1.91