Members of South Ayrshire Council's Leadership Panel have agreed to the submission of a funding application to the Sailwest Project, which could lead to the economy of South Ayrshire being boosted by three maritime projects.

The Sailwest Project is part of a European co-operation programme for the period 2007 to 2013.

The programme is administered by the Special European Union Programme Body that has a history of administering previous cross border programmes in Ireland. There are 17 partners in the programme and Donegal County Council, is leading on the project of which South Ayrshire is a major partner.

In July 2007 members of the Panel approved the development of a preparatory bid to allow a full and detailed application to be developed. This has now been completed and South Ayrshire has three projects contained in their bid: Girvan Harbour: creation of 29 extra pontoon berths at a cost of £400,000 that would be jointly funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) £300,000, Scottish Enterprise £50,000 and South Ayrshire Council £50,000.

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Maidens: feasibility study to create a marina. Estimated cost of £60,00 funded by Scottish Enterprise and ERDF. The Council would project manage the study and facilitate the cashflow.

Ayr: feasibility study to create a marina. Estimated cost of £147,000 funded by ERDF £110,250, Scottish Enterprise £18,375 and South Ayrshire Council £18,375.

The projects will be promoted through joint marketing and promotion activity aimed at stimulating increased tourism interest in the sailing potential of the area.

The Council would require to provide a cash contribution of £75,795 over the three years of the project, out of a total project cots of £750,000.

Councillor Hywel Davies, the Council’s Portfolio Carrier for Learning and Prosperity said: "To sail the Clyde Estuary is the ambition of many sailors, it is already one of the most sailed routes in Scotland.

"By participating in the Sailwest Project the Council could create facilities in Girvan, Maidens and Ayr that will attract people to the area boosting the local economy. The eventual revenue generated collectively could be in the region of £2.5m every year in berthing fees and additional visitor spend.

"By providing these new facilities more sailors will be encouraged to berth in South Ayrshire rather than just sail through our coastal waters. We must do everything that we can to attract sailors to berth in South Ayrshire, they will spend money when stop on provisions, gifts and at various facilities in the area. It is estimated that around 110 jobs could be supported by this development and that will make a real difference to the lives of many people in South Ayrshire."

Recent reports indicated that if sailing activities were developed properly an £80m boost could be given to the Clyde communities and around £250m to the Scottish economy. We must ensure South Ayrshire is part of that success.

(GK/JM)