The initiative aims to address a gap in high-quality business and industrial land and premises, which currently hinders speculative private-sector development due to the disparity between development costs and completed property values. The Council intends to provide fit-for-purpose, investment-ready industrial parks and business premises, building on projects like the Ayrshire Growth Deal Ayrshire Innovation Park at Moorfield.
Three sites are under consideration: the former Auchinleck Academy site, where the Council is exploring a joint venture with the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and 9 Community Councils for a local enterprise hub; the former Vesuvius site in Newmilns, with exploration led by the Newmilns Regeneration Association; and further expansion options for the Ayrshire Innovation Park at Moorfield in Kilmarnock, which has already attracted significant commercial interest.
“"We very much welcome these proposals. East Ayrshire has a lot to offer investors as a business location, but we need high-quality affordable premises to attract these investors in the first place. And I’m delighted that we will be working in partnership with our communities to explore commercial build opportunities for these three sites, which will bring significant benefits for local people. Through continued investment in business and industrial premises we can facilitate and enable the readjustment of the market in Ayrshire and I very much look forward to receiving the results from the feasibility studies in due course."
The feasibility studies are expected to be completed during 2027, providing recommendations on development options, costs, delivery, viability, and funding. No commitment has been made to a specific ownership, partnership, or delivery model at this stage, and the findings will be reported to the Cabinet.
