Further support is being earmarked by South Ayrshire Council towards the Girvan Gateway Project, a major regeneration initiative led by Girvan Community Developments Ltd, and which includes the redevelopment of the town’s Beach Pavilion, which closed in September, 2000.

The Council’s Policy and Resources Committee has agreed in principle to contribute up to £155,000 towards the cost of the demolition of the Beach Pavilion, and any remediation work required.  This is in addition to the contribution of land – valued at £50,000 – which the Council has made available, at no cost.

Said Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald, Leader of South Ayrshire Council: “We have been assured that there is a high level of local approval for the ambitious plans for the regeneration initiative, and I am pleased that the Council is able to make known its support for the project.”

Girvan Community Developments Ltd (GCDL) is a partnership between Girvan Community Council, Girvan Business Association, South Ayrshire Council and other local partners.

Linking up with Royal Society for the Protection of Birds,  GCDL share a vision for a near £20 million state of the art conservation and community development in Girvan  - the Girvan Gateway Project - incorporating the Ailsa Craig Centre, a new yacht haven, childrens’ play area and landscaping for the seafront area of the town.

The multi-million pound project is intended to provide views of the spectacular seabirds of the Clyde’s RSPB Ailsa Craig nature reserve beamed across 12 miles of open sea by the latest live-camera technology to a purpose-built wildlife interpretation and community facility on the harbour side.

An encouraging boost to the project was provided last year, with the announcement of a development grant of up to £250,000 from the Living Landmarks Programme Committee on behalf of the Big Lottery Fund. 

The move was seen as a crucial step towards the preparation of the proposals being drawn up by Girvan Community Developments in partnership with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. A further application stage for the Big Lottery Living Landmarks programme is expected to be reached by 31 May 2007.

Said Councillor Macdonald, Convener of the Policy and Resources Committee: “We have been told that the Living Landmarks assessors place a strong emphasis on projects having tangible local support.

“We appreciate that the Council’s contribution may be crucial to the project’s ability to demonstrate that support.

“We have already provided land valued at £50,000.  Now we have taken a decision to agree in principle to the Council providing up to £155,000, subject of course to the actual costs involved, and also that the next Living Landmarks application by GCDL  is successful.”

January 2007