A progress report on preparations for an ambitious phased programme of demolition in the Lochside area of Ayr and replacement with 100 new houses has been provided to South Ayrshire Council.

Details of a range of issues which have been considered by a steering group linked with the Lochside Regeneration Project have been reported to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee which was also made aware of financial implications being negotiated.

The Committee was told that a bid had been made to Communities Scotland for £1.6 million of support from the Housing Estate Regeneration Fund (HERF), and that, on the understanding that all that had been requested had been agreed, a formal offer of grant was being prepared.

This would be made by Communities Scotland to Ayrshire Housing to allow the new build development to go ahead.

Demolition costs are to be met by Ayrshire Housing, funded by HERF, and the Council is set to receive a capital receipt on completion of the disposal of the demolition site to Ayrshire Housing.

After the committee meeting, Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald, Leader of South Ayrshire Council said: “Much hard work over a number of years has gone into the preparations for this ambitious regeneration project and we are delighted to have been made aware that the funding appears to be in place.

“We have now formally agreed the disposal of the Lochside regeneration site to Ayrshire Housing at a price to be reported to the Council’s Commercial and Business Services committee as agreed in consultation with the district valuer.”

Councillor Macdonald added: “A continuous consultation process has been in place to ensure that the development is shaped in line with the views of local residents. The project should result in a most welcome transformation of what has been the most disadvantaged neighbourhood in the Council’s area.”

Among the issues that the Lochside Steering Group has considered are:

• A total of 35 families remain to be rehoused temporaily to enable the demolition to proceed, and it was anticipated that all would be accommodated by March 31, 2007.

• An offer has been made to one owner occupier within the demolition areas.

• Communities Scotland has agreed funding for a Community Development officer to support community engagement in the Lochside Development project.

• There has been some support amongst local residents for renaming of the streets in the new development.

The phased programme of demolition and replacement of houses in the Lochside area was subject to the approval of Scottish Ministers, and a formal announcement is expected.

The Council has already agreed to prioritise re-housing to current Lochside tenants in accordance with reasonable needs and preferences.

November 2006