A massive £360m Ayrshire investment wishlist is due to be submitted to the Scottish Government.

The Ayrshire Growth Deal, set up in the wake of multi-billion pound city deals for the likes of Glasgow, sets out a wide range of projects across North, East and South Ayrshire. 

Ambitious plans for a spaceport in Prestwick will require significant levels of funding, with around £86m sought for spaceport and aerospace plans. 

In North Ayrshire, the majority of projects are in areas which are currently covered by Irvine Bay regeneration company, which is due to wind up in the next year. 

AGD director Patrick Wiggins has been the regeneration company’s chief executive for the last decade.

The proposed deal would see direct investment of around £85m in a medical innovation centre, the i3 enterprise area and at Irvine harbourside/Ardeer peninsula.

A further £22m is being sought for investment in the Ardrossan Coastal Region. 

East Ayrshire’s proposals centre on manufacturing, with £120m sought for investment at the former Johnny Walker facility and  Ayrshire Engineering Park in Kilmarnock. 

The remaining funds are being sought for Ayrshire-wide proposals, including, business support for businesses looking to open international and innovative markets, marine tourism, ‘Connected Classrooms’ at local schools, community hubs and other programmes aiming to stimulate the local economy. 

In a report to the council’s cabinet, North Ayrshire Council Economic Director Karen Yeomans said: “An AGD would provide the Ayrshire  authorities  and  partners  with  the  opportunity to focus on the major interventions which would grow the economy and create employment within the region.  

Critical to any ‘deal’ with the Scottish and UK Governments will be the ability to demonstrate positive outcomes derived from investment in terms of uplifts in taxation; non domestic rates, personal tax and council tax, and/or a reduction in welfare claims.
Spaceport