Master plan for huge brownfield scheme unveiled

A master plan for Scotland's largest brownfield regeneration project – involving a huge former explosives plant at the Ardeer Peninsula in North Ayrshire – has been submitted.

The land-use strategy has been drawn up by Keppie Design, on behalf of Scottish-based NPL Estates, who own the 1,700 acres of land along the Ayrshire coast between the three towns of Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenston which was once home to Alfred Nobel's Explosives Company.

More recently the site was in the hands of ICI. At its peak in the 1950s and 1960s the facilities employed nearly 15,000 local people.

The master plan sets out proposals to clean up the site, create 1,000 jobs and 1,300 homes, and provide a neighbourhood centre, a golf course and marina. The blueprint includes a major extension to Ardeer and Stevenston.

Simon Jones, managing director of NPL Estates, said: "This exciting plan is the culmination of over five years design and consultation work and will deliver unprecedented regeneration in an area which has experienced a decline in socio-economic conditions following the downturn of heavy industry in the area. This plan will reverse those conditions and will deliver real benefits to the area and local people."

NPL is working in partnership with North Ayrshire Council to deliver the £500m scheme over the next 15 years.

Roger Milne

11 September 2008