Demolition underway in Darvel
Work has started this week on the demolition of the old fabric factory on Jamieson Road, Darvel.
This is a specialist demolition project, due to asbestos found within the factory site, and it is anticipated that it will take 14 weeks to complete.
Darvel Sports Centre, which sits adjacent to the site, will continue to run as normal throughout the demolition process.
Once the demolition has been fully completed and the ground restored, the site will be subject to a Community Asset Transfer to Darvel Community Trust SCIO.
The Trust, which took over the running of the sports centre in 2016, has ambitious plans for this area.
Councillor Jim McMahon, Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities said: "The demolition of old fabric factory on Jamieson Road, Darvel will start this week, but this isn't the end for the site, this is very much the beginning of an exciting new project, which will regenerate the large site and benefit the local community.
"Getting to this point has been challenging, there's no two ways about it. The Council took over the site, which has been subject to significant vandalism and wilful fire raising, just last September. This followed a successful application to the Sheriff Court to have the ownership of the site transferred to the Council in the absence of any other legal owner.
"But, we are at a point now to look forward with anticipation and excitement for the future. The Council will continue to work closely with East Ayrshire Leisure and Darvel Community Trust throughout the Community Asset Transfer process, and will provide support and advice to the Trust to help achieve their ambitious goals, which includes a cycling track."