News

Planning Permission in Principle has been granted for a major expansion of the Moorfield industrial park in Kilmarnock as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

East Ayrshire Council and East Ayrshire Leisure Trust (EALT) are hosting a community information session to give members of the public an opportunity to view design proposals for Cultural Kilmarnock, including the refurbishment of the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall complex in Kilmarnock.

The drop-in event will take place on Thursday 29 August between 4:30pm and 7pm, in the foyer of the Palace Theatre.

Large scale drawings and artists impressions will be on display along with a fly-round video presentation of the proposals. Visitors will also have an opportunity to discuss the project with members of the project team and to provide feedback on the proposals.

The latest piece of Supplementary Guidance to sit alongside East Ayrshire Council’s recently adopted Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), has gone out to public consultation. 

When East Ayrshire Council planners gained approval for their Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2) in March, they said they were immediately starting work on their next plan.  And true to their word, Cabinet has just just agreed their next steps in creating LDP3, which will eventually supersede the current plans.

The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership, the charitable organisation delivering projects in conservation, enterprise, education and climate resilience across southwest Scotland’s UNESCO-designated area, has put out a call for new members to join its board of Trustees.

Planning decisions in East Ayrshire will now focus more clearly on improving infrastructure, following good design practices, tackling climate change and creating healthier environments for people and nature, thanks to the Council’s adoption of its new Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2).

East Ayrshire Cabinet confirmed support for the creation of a new Galloway National Park this week, as they agreed to reaffirm their backing for the Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) submission to the Scottish Government as it considers bids for the designation of  new National Parks in Scotland

Concerned East Ayrshire councillors came together at Cabinet this week to call for urgent action by Transport Scotland and the Scottish and UK Governments to prioritise and find alternative sources of funding for vital improvements to infrastructure at Kilmarnock’s Bellfield Interchange.

East Ayrshire councillors from all parties have joined forces in calling for a summit with Scottish ministers to discuss planning restrictions imposed by SEPA, which would significantly impact on future developments in the area. 

Collaborative working with partner organisations to achieve maximum benefit for local communities and boost the economy, has been a longstanding ethos at East Ayrshire Council, as its teams strive to reach Net Zero targets.

The Community Renewable Energy project (CoRE) - one of East Ayrshire’s Ayrshire Growth Deal anchor projects - has emerged from extensive Cabinet discussion and debate this week with a renewed focus on skills and employability.

Just over ten years since Galloway & Southern Ayrshire (GSA) was designated Scotland’s first UNESCO Biosphere, a global delegation of UN officials today (4 July) announced the renewal of the site’s UNESCO status for a further ten years, in recognition of its pioneering achievements in sustainable development and supporting global climate change goals. The revalidation reflects southwest Scotland’s world class natural heritage and the leading role the Biosphere plays in building a secure and greener economic future for Scotland and the UK.