All three Ayrshire Council's have approved a Strategic Business Case (SBC) to build on the region's economic prospects.

The document will be submitted to the UK and Scottish Governments with the aim of securing over £350 million through the Ayrshire Growth Deal (AGD).

The SBC, which was recently approved by North and East Ayrshire Councils, was agreed at a meeting of South Ayrshire Council on Thursday, 06 October. Councillors also pledged to provide £70,000 from reserves to help support work on the project until the end of September 2017.

The AGD aims to develop and build on the region's key industries such as aerospace and space, life sciences, and manufacturing. Proposals include creating a Spaceport at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, as 50% of Scotland's aerospace employees are based at Prestwick.

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In addition, the Deal will seek to enhance Ayrshire's coast and capitalise on the opportunities that Ayrshire's harbours and ports provide. Proposed projects include national tourism strategies and opportunities to address issues such as the provision of land for the development of new housing.

South Ayrshire Council Leader Bill McIntosh said: "All three Councils stand to reap the rewards of the Ayrshire Growth Deal, and we're now well placed to take this project forward as we work to realise future growth and create new jobs.

"One of our major focal points is the aerospace and space sectors in Prestwick, which is already home to one of the UK's leading aerospace clusters, and which could soon become Britain's first operational spaceport.

"By pooling our resources and taking a partnership approach we stand the best chance of delivering benefits to all parts of Ayrshire as well as to the broader national economy, something that will allow local businesses to stand toe-to-toe with international competition."

If approved, the AGD could be implemented from mid-2017.

To view the SBC, visit here.

(Image: CGI of Glasgow Prestwick Spaceport)

(LM/MH)