Planning Permission in Principle has been granted for a major expansion of the Moorfield industrial park in Kilmarnock as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal.
The proposal is for a major development of a range of food grade, business and light engineering units and serviced plots for two Ayrshire Growth Deal projects - Ayrshire Manufacturing Investment Corridor (AMIC) and Ayrshire Engineering Park (AEP)
Ayrshire Manufacturing Investment Corridor aims to deliver sector specific business support for food and drink businesses in the region. AMIC consists of a new-build Food and Drink Centre of Excellence, food grade incubator units and terraced units and an advanced manufacturing industrial unit. These facilities will provide support for new and growing businesses linked to the food and drink industry.
Ayrshire Engineering Park will provide a range of industrial units for engineering and light manufacturing businesses to support their growth within the region. The quality and varied production and engineering spaces provided on site will be suitable for a range of businesses, including new businesses and those looking to upscale. The AEP element will also provide serviced plots for purchase, for businesses who wish to build their own bespoke premises within the Innovation Park.
The vision for the site is the creation of the new Ayrshire Innovation Park (AIP), supported by 5G connectivity which will aim to attract investment into the region, whilst also attracting new businesses to the area, support existing companies to expand and bring new opportunities to Kilmarnock including a forecast of 245 jobs during the construction phases and 280 permanent Jobs within the Innovation Park.
Councillor Graham Barton, Chair of East Ayrshire Planning Committee said:
“This is an eagerly anticipated development which will bring significant economic benefits to the region and I look forward to seeing it progress. Moorfield is an established business location in Kilmarnock which has seen many local businesses flourish in the past and this planning application will build on that reputation.
“Climate change, biodiversity and sustainability feature heavily within this application as the site will focus on minimising carbon emissions by offering energy efficiency measures, renewable energy integration and waste management solutions.
“The proposed digital infrastructure will also offer tenants fibre connections with 5G networking capabilities.”
The development will be constructed in phases over the next three years and will deliver a total of eight business and industrial blocks and five serviced development plots which will be marketed early in the new year. Early expressions of interest are invited by email to business@east-ayrshire.gov.uk .
This development has received funding from the Ayrshire Growth Deal to deliver AMIC, AEP and the Building Digital Capital Funds. In total - £26m from the Scottish Government, £12.5m from the UK Gov and £4m from East Ayrshire Council.
