Irvine boosted by Levelling-up fund announcement
Posted on 22 Nov 2023
MAJOR new investment is set for North Ayrshire after the region was successful in the latest round of UK Government Levelling Up funding.
North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire submitted a joint bid and have received a provisional award of £37.5million to develop a series of commercial, active travel and low carbon infrastructure projects.
North Ayrshire will receive approximately £17.5m and will focus on transforming derelict land in Irvine creating new energy efficient commercial space, electric charging points, active travel infrastructure and works to support existing and future bus routes.
Sites being considered in Irvine include Kyle Road, Annickbank and i3.
Councillor Marie Burns, Leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “This is welcome news and will allow us to carry out much-needed work at sites across Irvine.
“It will help us tackle long-term vacant and derelict land which is one of the cornerstones of Community Wealth Building. It will help us bring these areas back into positive use building on our Ayrshire Growth Deal and Regeneration Delivery Plan investment, improving the areas for local communities and supporting economic development.
“We are pressing ahead with a number of low-carbon projects across North Ayrshire and creating more opportunities for active and sustainable travel is absolutely essential. We are delighted that this funding will help us develop these further in Irvine.
“We look forward to providing more detail as we move forward with our plans.”
South Ayrshire Council has confirmed that £20m will be spent on improving infrastructure at the airport.
The UK Government announced £1.1bn of funding on 55 projects as part of the third round of Levelling Up funding to create new jobs and opportunities, power economic growth, and revitalise local areas.
The third round of the Fund has awarded funding to high quality bids submitted in Round 2 prioritised using the Round 3 funding methodology. North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Council submitted the joint bid to Round 2 to deliver new energy efficient commercial property and associated infrastructure at key employment areas. The award is subject to project validation, subsidy control checks, and departmental sign-off by the UK Government.