Development of plans that could see a new community training and health facility being built in the heart of Ayr's Wallacetoun and Newton area have been put in motion this week.

The Wallacetoun and Newton Regeneration Forum (WNRF) have been awarded £117,000 Big Lottery funding and this will allow them to further develop the plans, proposals and ideas for a Positive Impact Centre in the area.

Councillor Hugh Hunter, Leader of South Ayrshire Council said: This award really is terrific news for the local area and represents a major step forward to creating a fuller bid aimed at securing a 'Positive Impact Centre'.

"I am delighted that, for three weeks in a row, I can warmly welcome new funding and investment in South Ayrshire and I heartily congratulate the members of the WNRF and Council Officers for all the hard work they have put into making this bid such a success.

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"I am also pleased that we could play a key part in the bid's success by agreeing, in principle, to the transfer of the land where the Centre might be located."

Joe Lafferty, Chair of the WNRF said: "I cannot underestimate the potential we have here and I really want to get local people excited and energised about what could happen in the local area.

"Even the biggest journey starts with a first step and if the Centre goes ahead, it will be a flagship community training and health centre in an area that has suffered its share of deprivation. On behalf of the Forum, I'd like to thank the Big Lottery, South Ayrshire Council and Community Enterprise in Scotland who all helped get the bid to this stage."

Jim Whiston, Director at Ayrshire Housing said: "We're very pleased to be working in partnership with local people and our colleagues at South Ayrshire Council and we're fully committed to supporting the development of the Centre proposal."

The new Centre, likely to be sited on land at Russell Street, would create a platform for local people to develop a range of new skills, knowledge and confidence as a means of tackling unemployment and the problems associated with this as well as offering social and recreational facilities.

A Company Limited by Guarantee made up from the WNRF, Access To Employment and Ayrshire Housing, with majority control residing with Community Directors, will now be created to take the project forward.

(GK/JM)