INTRODUCTION

On 27"' September 1999 the Heritage Lottery Fund made a conditional offer of grant to North Ayrshire Council in respect of the Stage I bid for the Beith Townscape Heritage Initiative Project. Beith Town Centre is designated "Outstanding" by Historic Scotland

In February 2000, NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL agreed:

a)to accept the lead role in making the Stage 2 Submission;

b)if the Submission is successful, to enter into the standard contract with the Heritage Lottery Fund;

d)if appropriate, to form an Environmental Trust for the purposes of implementation;

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The project focuses initially on the rehabilitation of the properties at 20-32 The Cross and 2-8 Eglinton Street to provide a mix of flats for sale and rent and possibly commercial ground floor properties. The scheme is estimated to cost over £3 million. They indicated that a grant of up to £975,000 may be available for the scheme subject to receipt by them of a satisfactory Stage 2 submission by 1st February 2000.

Discussions have been ongoing with various partners in the project, St Vincent Crescent Preservation Trust Scottish Homes, Historic Scotland, and Enterprise Ayrshire.

The enhancement of the entire Outstanding Conservation Area forms an essential part of the project and will be achieved through public realm works and the award of grants to individuals for the reinstatement of architectural detail in buildings (both residential and commercial) such as the replacement of inappropriate shopfronts and signs.

The entire project is envisaged to last up to 5 years.

For further information please contact Andrew McIlwraith, Planning Officer