Kilmarnock's Moorfield Industrial Park is set for a significant expansion, with Planning Permission in Principle granted for a major development. This key project, driven by the Ayrshire Growth Deal, will see the creation of a new hub for business and innovation.

The expansion will focus on two key initiatives:

• Ayrshire Manufacturing Investment Corridor (AMIC): This project will support the region's food and drink sector, featuring a new Food and Drink Centre of Excellence, alongside incubator units and advanced manufacturing facilities.

• Ayrshire Engineering Park (AEP): This will provide a range of industrial units to cater to the needs of engineering and light manufacturing businesses, offering space for both expansion and relocation.

The expanded park, known as the 'Ayrshire Innovation Park' (AIP), will benefit from 5G connectivity, attracting investment and creating a competitive edge for businesses. This transformative project is expected to generate 245 jobs during the construction phase and a further 280 permanent positions within the park.

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Councillor Graham Barton, Chair of East Ayrshire Planning Committee said: "This is an eagerly anticipated development which will bring significant economic benefits to the region and I look forward to seeing it progress. Moorfield is an established business location in Kilmarnock which has seen many local businesses flourish in the past and this planning application will build on that reputation.

"Climate change, biodiversity and sustainability feature heavily within this application as the site will focus on minimising carbon emissions by offering energy efficiency measures, renewable energy integration and waste management solutions.

"The proposed digital infrastructure will also offer tenants fibre connections with 5G networking capabilities."

The development will be constructed in phases over the next three years and will deliver a total of eight business and industrial blocks and five serviced development plots which will be marketed early in the new year. Early expressions of interest are invited by email to [email protected] .

This development has received funding from the Ayrshire Growth Deal to deliver AMIC, AEP and the Building Digital Capital Funds. In total - £26m from the Scottish Government, £12.5m from the UK Gov and £4m from East Ayrshire Council.