Proposals to breathe new life into the old Ayr Academy are being put to the public.
An exhibition is being held at Ayr Town Hall on Thursday, April 19 to highlight plans to relocate Ayr Grammar to a new home on Fort Street.
The exhibition comes as the planning application for the new Ayr Grammar is submitted for consideration. If approved, the £16 million project would create a new primary school with capacity for more than 430 pupils, a new early years centre with 50 places, community arts facilities as well as a new Archive and Registration Centre.
There has been a school on the town centre site since 1233, with the old Ayr Academy built in 1880. The school relocated to its new home at Craigie Estate in summer 2017.
The new project will see the historic buildings completely refurbished and remodelled to create an inspiring modern facility with a bright new entrance connecting the school, early years and community facilities. The proposals also involve the demolition of obsolete extensions at the back of the school, a move that will create external space for playgrounds, external teaching and car parking.
The project will be delivered through hub South West, who have appointed Morrison Construction, and a design team led by BDP Architects. Planning Consent has been granted for the demolition work, which is expected to start on site early in the summer.
If approved, construction would start later this year, with completion scheduled for 2020.
Councillor Peter Henderson, Portfolio Holder for Resources and Performance said the project was now at an important stage, “We want South Ayrshire to be the best it can be and for all people and places to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and our schools programme plays an important role in that wider work.
“The plans to breathe new life into this landmark building would leave a lasting legacy for generations of families, and with the proposals submitted for consideration, now is the time for the public to get involved.
“I’m sure there will be a great turnout for the Town Hall exhibition where people will have an opportunity to view the plans and speak directly to the team to find out more. Alternatively anyone looking to find out more can also find the plans online on the Council’s planning portal where they can have their say directly.”
The Archive and Registration Centre will be a separate building with its entrance on South Harbour Street, providing public access to archive material as well as registration services.
The public exhibition, including images and drawings of the new buildings, takes place at Ayr Town Hall on Thursday, 19 April between 2:00pm and 8:00pm to give an opportunity to view the proposals, ask questions and provide feedback.
The plans will be available to view soon on the Council's planning portal https://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/planning/register.aspx
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