AMBITOUS plans to develop marine tourism in Cumbrae have taken a significant step forward.
North Ayrshire Council has received confirmation that the Scottish Government support the principle of the development of a marina on the island, following the approval of an initial business case for the programme.
The marina proposal is a key component of the Ayrshire Growth Deal and being supported by £9.5 million investment from the Scottish Government into a Marine Tourism Programme at the Isles of Cumbrae and Arran. Funding worth £4.5m has been allocated to the Millport Project.
The local authority has now appointed Wallace Stone Consulting Civil Engineers as the marina project Principal and Integrated Design Team to develop the marina design, apply for permissions and consents and assess the environmental impact of the marina.
The Cumbrae marina proposal has been enabled by the Millport Flood Protection Scheme rock armour breakwater that has created a suitable area of water in Millport Bay to support the development.
The marina will be located at Millport Pier and as part of the development the closed timber section of the Pier will be removed
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “This is an important milestone for this Ayrshire Growth Deal project, and we are delighted the next stage of the marina development work can go ahead.
“The appointment of Wallace Stone is a critical step towards securing the marina permissions and consents, and we are looking forward to seeing the marina design take shape over the coming months.”
Millport Pier & Harbour User Group spokesperson Graham Wallace said: “Millport has needed modern step-ashore marina facilities for a longtime and we are pleased that the Scottish Government and Ayrshire Growth Deal has recognised the economic benefits of a marina for Great Cumbrae. The marina in Millport will be a great attraction to the wider boating community of the Firth of Clyde and breathe new life into the Millport Harbour area and help transform the town.”
The marina will provide step-ashore facilities for a wide range of sea faring vessels and this will stimulate new industries and jobs for Cumbrae, support local businesses and enable the community to benefit from marine leisure and recreation.
This period of work will include community, stakeholder and marine user consultations.
A programme of consultation will be published in due course.
The marina proposals will be developed by Wallace Stone over the next two years and the Council will require to obtain further business case approvals from Scottish Government as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal process. This will enable the appointment of a main contractor with construction anticipated in late 2027 for a spring 2028 opening.
The Ayrshire Growth Deal was signed in November 2020. The £251.5 million Deal is made up of £103 million each from the Scottish and UK governments and £45.5 million from the region’s three local authorities.