Work started this week to take down the derelict buildings at the Jamieson Road site in East Ayrshire. The project is being delivered by specialist contractors due to asbestos on the site and is expected to take about 14 weeks to complete.

Darvel Sports Centre, which sits next to the works, will continue to operate as normal throughout the demolition phase.

Following demolition and ground reinstatement, the site is intended to transfer to community ownership via a Community Asset Transfer to Darvel Community Trust SCIO. The Trust, which has managed the sports centre since 2016, has ambitious plans for the area.

-- Advertisement --

Councillor Jim McMahon, Spokesperson for Housing, Transport and Communities said: "The demolition of old fabric factory on Jamieson Road, Darvel will start this week, but this isn't the end for the site, this is very much the beginning of an exciting new project, which will regenerate the large site and benefit the local community.

"Getting to this point has been challenging, there's no two ways about it. The Council took over the site, which has been subject to significant vandalism and wilful fire raising, just last September. This followed a successful application to the Sheriff Court to have the ownership of the site transferred to the Council in the absence of any other legal owner.

"But, we are at a point now to look forward with anticipation and excitement for the future. The Council will continue to work closely with East Ayrshire Leisure and Darvel Community Trust throughout the Community Asset Transfer process, and will provide support and advice to the Trust to help achieve their ambitious goals, which includes a cycling track."