An outline application was approved for a mixed use development at South East Ayr for a site of 180 ha in July 2009.

The proposals include the following:

- 2,700 new homes
- 10 ha Business Park
- 4ha retail area
- Primary school with children’s nursery and community facilities

These are set within a strong landscaped framework.

The proposals create a strong, sustainable expansion to the settlement, incorporating the following aims:

• to promote sustainability as an integral part of the development especially relating to transport, including the provision of a rail halt;

• to create a successful place which is distinctive; safe and pleasant; easy to move around; welcoming; adaptable and resource efficient in accordance with Designing Places;

• to ensure that infrastructure and facilities are sufficient to meet identified needs;

• to fully integrate the new development with Ayr and the adjacent hospitals taking into account the requirements of NHS Ayrshire and Arran;

• to safeguard important site features including woodlands and other natural assets;

• to create a pleasant residential environment that meets current and future housing needs and aspirations;

• to balance residential development proposals with retail, leisure and employment uses to create a sustainable and mixed community; and

• to build on existing character into the design of the proposals

The development accords with all development plan policies and current national policy and advice in terms of siting, design, layout, affordable housing, recreation, open space and SUDS, amongst other factors. 

Works to build a new rail halt, necessary works to upgrade the A77(T), provision of a sustainable bus service, investment in infrastructure upgrades, joint investment with the Council to upgrade education facilities such as a new primary school, and extension to the secondary school together with others, will be planned and programmed to meet Council requirements. 

The design process is on-going and work has commenced on the master planning of the Corton phase. A design strategy has been agreed with the Council on how to address matters of design detail.