The final land acquisition has been completed clearing the way for a start to be made on a state of the art office building for occupation by East Ayrshire Council and its partner agencies.
The 35,000 sq ft building will provide new library facilities and a purpose built marriage suite amongst a range of other services.
East Ayrshire Council is working with its commercial partner Deanway Muir Ltd which is a dedicated joint venture company formed by Deanway Development Ltd and Muir Group. This company was appointed after a rigorous selection process conducted under EU Regulations.
Work will commence in late May on flood prevention works to eradicate a perceived 1:200 year flood risk to the centre of Cumnock and this will be followed by the main construction contract for the office building which is due to start on site by August. Completion of the offices is scheduled for August 2011.
Elsewhere in the town, work has commenced on the demolition of a former bingo hall to create an additional 100 space shopper’s car park, and public realm improvements will enhance the setting of the town hall.
The next phase of the regeneration programme will involve the demolition and redevelopment of the existing Glaisnock Shopping Centre which has reached the end of its useful working life. It is planned to replace this with a new supermarket of around 60,000 sq ft and new "street fronting" shop units totalling a further 45,000 sq ft. Work on this phase is targeted to begin in spring next year.
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Councillor Douglas Reid, Leader of the Council, said: "The office development is a key part of the Council’s masterplan for Cumnock Town Centre. This development will bring our employees and partners into the town centre, increasing footfall in and business for local traders. The Local Office and Registration service, which is currently located at Millbank, will relocate and a purpose built marriage suite will be included in the development.
"As for the retail side of things, we intend to secure vacant possession of Glaisnock Shopping Centre and then demolish it. We are continuing to work in partnership with leaseholders and owners within the mall to achieve this. The Council is working with all current occupiers to identify new permanent or temporary accommodation within the town centre. We have already met with traders to discuss the availability of various vacant properties within Cumnock and will be working to help them to relocate." Occupying the former Co-Op building in Hamilton Place is just one of options discussed. Keeping the businesses under one roof, in a department store style operation would enable them to share costs and provide an attractive, modern shopping environment. We are awaiting a response from the traders following recent discussions.
Councillor Jim Buchanan, Spokesperson for Community Regeneration, added: "This is an exciting time for Cumnock and a real opportunity for existing and new businesses to take advantage of the growing confidence and optimism within the town."
On the outskirts of Cumnock, planning consent was recently granted for a development at Knockroon comprising 770 houses, workplaces, leisure and open spaces. Knockroon is seen as an exemplar neighbourhood for Cumnock, East Ayrshire, and indeed for Scotland and has already been recognised as part of the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative.
The development is being undertaken by The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment with construction due to start in the summer and is regarded as being a catalyst for the regeneration of the southern part of East Ayrshire.
(GK/BMcC)
