AMBITOUS plans to develop marine tourism in Cumbrae have taken a significant step forward. North Ayrshire Council has received confirmation that the Scottish Government support the principle of the development of a marina on the island, following the approval of an initial business case for the programme. The marina proposal is a key component of the Ayrshire Growth Deal and being supported by £9.5 million investment from the Scottish Government into a Marine Tourism Programme at the Isles of Cumbrae and Arran. Funding worth £4.5m has been allocated to the Millport Project. The local authority has now appointed Wallace Stone Consulting Civil Engineers as the marina project Principal and Integrated Design Team to develop the marina design, apply for permissions and consents and assess the environmental impact of the marina. The Cumbrae marina proposal has been enabled by the Millport Flood Protection Scheme rock armour breakwater that has created a…
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New Digital Process Manufacturing Centre unlocks emerging technology for Scottish industry A new centre designed to support process manufacturing industries with next-generation technologies was officially opened in North Ayrshire today (27 February 2025), fuelling economic growth and helping to position the region as a leader in smart manufacturing and digital skills. The Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DMPC) is part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and will give process manufacturing businesses access to digital and data driven manufacturing expertise, enabling them to innovate and adopt new technology in a low-risk environment. Artificial intelligence, robotics, digital data management, and virtual and augmented reality are among the tools that will be available to trial at the centre. The DPMC facility is funded in part through the £251 million Ayrshire Growth Deal, which includes £103 million from UK Government, a further £103 million from Scottish Government and £45.5 million from Council partners,…
Work starts on Great Harbour Growth Deal project WORK on the ambitious project that is set to transform Irvine’s Harbourside area is officially underway. The £14 million Ayrshire Growth Deal investment in the area has kicked off with work on the first phase now started. The project is being supported with £9 million from the Scottish Government. The ‘Great Harbour’ is a key component of the £251m Ayrshire Growth Deal and one of the most ambitious and transformational regeneration tourism proposals for the region. Contractors McLauglin Construction are carrying out the first phase works – called the ‘Coastal Hub’ – which will include the development of a themed regional playpark. A skatepark is also being constructed, while there will be repairs to the Pilot House building and new landscaped park setting that reflects the coastal location, improved active travel connections and the re-lining of the Beach Drive car park to…
Ayrshire Growth Deal – Press statement from South Ayrshire Council South Ayrshire Council is continuing to push forward on the development and delivery of key projects within the Ayrshire Growth Deal, in partnership with the UK and Scottish Governments, Scottish Enterprise and other local and national agencies. We are working within agreed budgets to ensure public money is being spent appropriately, while making sure that Growth Deal funding delivers benefits for communities and enhances the regional attractiveness of South Ayrshire for further investments. Going forward, investment in the Prestwick Spaceport project will not be considered as part of the Growth Deal. Significant work is being carried out to define the scope and requirements of other projects to meet current and future needs of the aerospace sector as part of a wider Growth Deal Programme Review . South Ayrshire Council and regional partners will continue discussions with Scottish and UK Governments…