Life has changed considerably since Percy Johnson-Marshall designed Kilmarnock’s last Masterplan in the 1960s and the last major redevelopment of Kilmarnock town centre. Changing habits and ways of working mean that town centres are used differently, so it’s well recognised that town centres need to change to accommodate modern life.

That’s why East Ayrshire Council, in conjunction with partners, community groups, businesses and residents, is embarking on a new Masterplan – details of which were agreed by elected members at the meeting of Full Council on Thursday.

As a first step, the council is calling on everyone to take a look and have their say. Following extensive partnership working and consultation with the people who live in, work in, and visit the town centre, the council has released a vision of what could be by creating a Masterplan which is both possible and achievable to reinvigorate Kilmarnock’s town centre, with all the benefits it will bring to the local economy, the quality of the built and natural environment, and the prosperity and wellbeing of all who use the area. 

‘The Vision for Kilmarnock Town Centre – A New Chapter’ sets out six key themes:

• Sense of place
• Climate
• Connectivity
• Vacant buildings, retail, and business development
• Heritage, leisure and public realm
• Town centre living

It lays out priorities for both short-term and long-term projects which should transform the town and enhance life, work, and leisure for all who use Kilmarnock.

Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, said: “Our Masterplanning team has been working hard, consulting with other organisations and businesses and community groups to bring together these proposals as the start of a definitive plan for the future of our town.

“We know that our most successful developments are always those where we work with and for the people who are most affected by what’s being done. This is why we’re now seeking the views of all concerned to make sure we’re taking into consideration everything we can to help make this plan as achievable and far reaching as possible.

“The council has earmarked approximately £100m for this work over the life of the proposed Masterplan, but we know we cannot achieve this alone and that levering in private investment and other investment is vital to the success of the plan. We hope that the shared vision for the future of our town piques the interest of some like-minded developers keen to join us on this journey as we write the next chapter for Kilmarnock.

“This is possibly the most important paper we have ever had to consider in the life of East Ayrshire Council, and I’d encourage anyone with an interest in our town to take a look at the ideas, as laid out in our Masterplan document, and give us their comments. Every contribution will be read and considered as we continue our journey towards a revitalised Kilmarnock.”

The consultation opens online on Monday 31 August and will run until Sunday 11 October with some public face-to-face engagement sessions being held at venues across Kilmarnock to give people a chance to ask questions and contribute in-person.