Controversial £16m revamp of Burns Statue Square approved

A multi-million pound transformation of an Ayrshire landmark has been approved despite concerns over the impact on businesses and the wider town.

South Ayrshire Council backed the final designs for the major regeneration of Burns Statue Square in Ayr by 19 votes to four, clearing the way for construction to begin in January.

The scheme aims to turn the traffic-dominated square into a new civic space and gateway to the town centre, creating more room for pedestrians, landscaping and seating.

But some councillors warned the revamped area could damage trade for local businesses and bring footfall down.

Burns Statue Square currently operates largely as a traffic island, with the Robert Burns statue and the South African War Memorial surrounded by circulating vehicles.

The redevelopment will alter the road layout. Beresford Terrace will remain one-way northbound, with a bus gate allowing buses to travel south towards Parkhouse Street.

The existing car park in front of the Astoria Cinema will be removed, with replacement parking proposed on the former Burns House site - resulting in four fewer standard spaces but two additional disabled bays.

Councillor Alec Clark, the council's depute leader, said the scheme could to deliver a "major regeneration and rejuvenation" of Ayr town centre.

He said: "We know how difficult the retail and leisure landscape has been, and I think this is something that will underpin some encouragement and perhaps a surge in retail and also in leisure.

"I think it's a major development for Ayr, for the county town and South Ayrshire."

Burns Statue Square has been a landmark in the town centre since the early 19th century.

The statue of Burns, by architect George A Lawson, was unveiled in 1882.

However the proposals prompted concerns from several councillors over their potential impact on businesses.

Councillor Hugh Hunter said he was "very unconvinced" by the plans and warned previous changes to Ayr town centre had damaged businesses.

He said: "When the footfall stopped, the businesses started disappearing. My big fear is that this will simply be the final nail in the coffin.

"I'm really concerned about it. I don't buy the rosy projections of lots of people cycling into town to do their shopping."

He added any changes needed to be accompanied by a wider economic development plan for the town centre and that he did not believe the plan had been fully thought through.

Business engagement was also questioned during the meeting.

The consultation report stated engagement covered 69 businesses and commercial premises around the square and surrounding streets, although only seven completed business questionnaires were received.

Councillor George Weir said he had been told some businesses had received no contact and raised concerns about the financial consequences of disruption during construction.

He said: "I understand that some businesses reckon that a drop of ten per cent may result in business collapse, so I think the margins are quite fine."

Officers maintained every business had been given an opportunity to participate and asked councillors to provide details of any businesses saying they had not been contacted so this could be checked.

SNP councillor Julie Dettbarn acknowledged there would be short-term impact to businesses but said once the plan was complete it should ensure increased footfall.

The £16m Burns Statue Square allocation comes from the UK government's Local Regeneration Fund, formerly the Levelling Up Fund, and does not require match funding.

Consultation has already resulted in changes to the square's design, including more greenery and additional Blue Badge provision.

The revised plans include 13 trees within the square, representing Burns' children, and 26 across the wider project area.

Traffic modelling carried out for the council concluded that the local road network would continue to operate satisfactorily under the proposed arrangements, although further modelling is planned.

Construction is scheduled to start in January and be completed by 31 March 2028.

Story by Local Democracy reporter Kevin Dyson.