Proposed modifications to the Finalised South Ayrshire Local Plan, which comprises policies and proposals to provide for and guide new development within South Ayrshire have been approved for publication at a full meeting of South Ayrshire Council.

The final key stage in the preparation of the South Ayrshire Local Plan is the culmination of many years of preparatory work including substantial public consultation, consideration of objections, a public inquiry held by independent Scottish Government Reporters to hear those objections, and consideration of their recommendations and subsequent revision.

The proposed modified Local Plan was approved for publication in full following a 16 – 14 vote.

Report By Depute Chief Executive And Director Of Development, Safety And Regulation To A Meeting Of The Full Council On 28th September 2006 (2,348KB)

Discussion at the Council meeting was in private – in consideration of a number of elements within the confidential report which could have been of a commercially sensitive nature – however at the conclusion of the debate, once approval was given, it was announced that the report will now be made available to the public.

The move paves the way for final statutory proceedings, including the receipt of any representations to proposed modifications that have been made to the Plan, and a final submission to Scottish Ministers. 

Barring unforeseen action, or delays, it is expected that the next proceedings could lead to the Plan being adopted in February 2007, becoming the formal statutory land use document for South Ayrshire, superseding all existing local plans.

Said the Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald: “I am delighted that the Council has reached the crucial stage that it has in the preparation of our Local Plan. The Council’s Administration has been wholeheartedly supportive of the need for an up-to-date Local Plan for South Ayrshire.  I was also delighted to note that the single independent Councillor demonstrated his support at the meeting by also voting for the approval of the publication of the document.

“The decision taken is a major step towards the adoption of an up-to-date planning strategy for the future of South Ayrshire, with many highly significant policies and proposals which will be important to the area, encouraging vital economic development and providing for new housing development whilst conserving the local environment.”

During a six week statutory period following the original publication of the Plan, a total of 540 submissions were received.

The Council meeting was provided with a report of the conclusions and recommendations of the Reporters on all of the key strategic issues, all of the housing sites considered – and the course of action recommended to be taken by the Council.

Strategic issues contained in the Local Plan relate to: 

• Housing land requirements
• Greenbelt at Ayr, Prestwick and Troon
• Affordable housing
• Greenfield housing sites at North East Troon and Greenan, Ayr
• South East Ayr – urban expansion site

Among important matters referred to in the Local Plan are retailing at Heathfield, Ayr, conservation status for the Low Green and the prospective relocation site for Girvan Community Hospital.

Other new proposals in the modified Local Plan include:

• The allocation of land at Greenan, Ayr, for a comprehensive scheme of housing development amounting to some 430 new houses.
• A change to the affordable housing policy, such that the Council will seek from developers of new housing sites a contribution of 25% rather than 40% of the new units, to be affordable housing.

The proposed modifications will be formally published in mid-October for a six weeks statutory period during which any person may make representation on those modifications for consideration by South Ayrshire Council.

October 2006