A Vision for : Charrette Report A Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative (SSCI) Executive Summary

April 2012 vIEw lookIng wESt ovEr gIrvAn ContACtS

DesiGn teAM the girvan Charrette process is part of the Scottish within the town of girvan to consider how best to deliver Sustainable Communities Initiative Charrette Mainstreaming physical, social and economic regeneration, including through Programme. to facilitate the process a team led by John tourism and leisure. thompson & Partners (JtP) were appointed. the aim of the charrette was to build on the strong sense of people and place the JtP led multi-disciplinary team was made up of:

John thompson & partners Wardell Armstrong LLP SKM Colin Buchanan urbanism & Architecture Infrastructure Transport venue Studios 21 Calton road, Edinburgh EH8 8Dl Suite 2/3 Great Michael House, 14 Links Place OneSixty 160 Dundee Street t. +44 (0)131 272 2762 F. +44 (0)131 272 2862 Edinburgh EH6 7EZ Edinburgh EH11 1DQ T. +44 (0)131 555 3311 F. +44 (0)131 553 3284 T. +44 (0)131 222 3530 F. +44 (0)131 222 3531 23-25 great Sutton Street, london EC1v 0Dn www.wardell-armstrong.com www.skmcolinbuchanan.com t. +44 (0)20 7017 1780 F. +44 (0)20 7017 1781 www.jtp.co.uk

Gillespies The CADISPA Trust (Conservation & Scarborough’s Future Urban Renaissance Urban & Landscape Designers Development in Sparsely Populated Areas) Falconer’s Road, York, 21 Carlton Court, Glasgow G5 9JP Room 3015, Mile End Mill, Abbeymill Business Centre North Yorkshire YO11 2EN T. +44 (0)141 420 8200 F. +44 (0)141 429 8796 12 Seedhill Road, Paisley PA1 1JS T. +44 (0)131 555 3311 F. +44 (0)131 553 3284 www.gillespies.co.uk T: +44 (0)141 889 2150 www.scarboroughsfuture.org.uk www.cadispa.org

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 3 AErIAl vIEw lookIng SoutH CoNTeNTs

1 introduCtion 7 PromeNADe imProvemeNTs 33 uNDeruseD oPeN sPACes 35 viCToriA PArk 37 2 Key themes 9 susTAiNAble TrANsPorTATioN looPs 39 heNrieTTA sTreeT 41 3 the WAy forWArd 13 CoAl DoCk 43 The TowN CeNTre AND hArbour AreA 45 illusTrATive mAsTerPlAN 47 4 Vision 15 The hArbour villAGe 49 The wiDer visioN 17 wATer of GirvAN wAlkwAy 55 DeveloPmeNT CoNsTrAiNTs 19 sTumPy Tower 57 uTiliTies 21 DAlrymPle sTreeT 61 TrANsPorTATioN 25 kNoCkCushAN sTreeT 63 oPPorTuNiTy siTes 29 NorTherN TowNsCAPe imProvemeNTs 65 sTAir PArk 31

projeCt Code Disclaimer: 00507 This document contains statements made by members of the local community in Girvan which do not necessarily reflect the views of John Thompson & Partners. Accordingly, John Thompson & Partners shall not be responsible or liable for the contents of any statements or opinions made by members of the public, including any statements that are inaccurate, false, incomplete or offensive. No responsibility or liability is accepted towards any other person in respect of the use of this report or for reliance on the information contained in this report by any other person or for any other purpose. issue dAte This document may contain photographs of participants in the Community Planning process. Publication is intended as a record of the event(s) rather than a representation of the views of the subject(s). April 2012 All quotes in the report are from participants of the Community Planning process. The quotes do not necessarily reflect the views of the person in the adjacent photograph.

A Vision for GirVAn: ChArrette report exeCutiVe summAry pAGe 5 SHAlloCH PArk vIEwPoInt - 1 IntroDuCtIon

WhAt ARe ChARRettes?

Charrettes involve a series of interactive design scottish sustainable Communities initiative (ssCi) the programme is designed to assist projects to adopt workshops held over a number of days where Charrette Mainstreaming programme and deliver design-led approaches to development the public, local design professionals and project and to help embed charrette style working in Scottish consultants work together on developing a detailed the Scottish government has launched this new practices. vision for a site. the process also includes meetings, charrette programme aimed at mainstreaming this which enable all stakeholders to discuss the key innovative approach to development in the built the initial projects which have been selected to policies and issues relating to the site. A key benefit environment, within Scottish design and planning participate in the initiative were: of this approach is that local residents are involved practice. Callander: Proposer, Callander Community Council on behalf of the Callander Partnership throughout the duration of the design process, the SSCI Charrette Mainstreaming Programme heightening awareness of development issues and Johnstone South west: Proposer, renfrewshire Council involves a series of charrettes across the country, linking girvan; South Carrick: Proposer, South informing them on decisions on the future of their new projects with specialist charrette facilitator teams. community. Council

It has been a tremendously exciting opportunity for everyone who cares about Girvan to join in creating a vision for the future of the town, and a great chance for everyone in Girvan to work together by talking about their priorities and the challenges facing the town and how they can be addressed.

Derek Mackay, Scottish government’s Minister for local government and Planning

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 7 kEy tHEMES 2 kEy tHEMES

1. CiViC pRiDe 2. iMAGe AnD iDentity 3. sCeptiCisM AnD tRust 4. ACtiVe CoMMunity girvan is a beautiful, intact, historic Many people remember girvan as a Participants said they have been through girvan is a very active, independent town with a working harbour and bustling seaside resort but participants vision processes before but that little has community. there are many groups stunning natural setting - people are now feel the town’s image is that of a changed for the better and there was and volunteers doing a wide range of rightly proud of their town. However, neglected, ‘ghost town’. Although there some scepticism that positive change remarkable things although much of there is nostalgia for the past heyday is a perception of decline in the high would result this time. the loss of the what goes on happens independently and a feeling that the town is not being street, the range of independent and swimming pool was seen as symbolic and is not coordinated. Participants invested in. Despite this there are many interesting shops is valuable and healthy of a disconnect between girvanites felt that through better communication signs of strong civic pride throughout relative to many small towns nationally. and the decision-making that affects and coordinating this activity could be the town and people are passionate the town has a strong identity and their town. Participants expressed a strengthened. about building a bright future for all together with its beautiful setting there strong desire to take on more active citizens. is enormous potential for the future. involvement in deciding the future direction of the town. There are so many We have a passion It’s a tourist town I believe the small groups but it’s all for Girvan! with no facilities and no very separated! tourists! swimming pool is a symbol - many people thought when it shut it was the last straw!

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 9 5. Quality of the town 6. A new harbour village 7. Quality of the public realm 8. Young people centre environment The working harbour is an important The quality and variety of landscape and Young people often experience the While there is a very high quality built part of the town and the significant open spaces in and around Girvan are town in different ways from adults and environment across much of the town, development opportunity would benefit part of its character and an important they put forward many creative ideas for there is a feeling of neglect in some key visitors and residents. Whilst the amenity for residents. However, there improvement to benefit both their own highly visible sites in the town centre proposed multi-faceted leisure centre is a need for some improvement to age group and Girvanites as a whole. and concern regarding heavy goods is to be located here there is scope enhance their usefulness, beauty and Street and park environments are vehicles passing through the town. over time for a mix of other uses to be connectivity throughout the town. particularly important for young people Participants wanted to see investment in developed providing a range of amenity This could include opportunities for as well as sports, recreational and the harbour and town centre, including and activity to complement existing community groups to be involved in cultural facilities. Young people want to improved shop fronts and public realm harbour uses. planting and management programmes. be taken seriously and kept involved in and better marketing and signage of the any activity regarding the future of the town’s assets. town. At the harbour we Sort out the drainage Make Dalrymple could create a new part at Victory Park - it’s a We need to invest in Street look more of town. swamp! our young people! attractive!

PAGE 10 A Vision for Girvan: Charrette Report Executive Summary 2 kEy tHEMES

9. loCAl eConoMy 10. A ReGionAl hub foR 11. ContinuinG CoMMunity touRisM pARtiCipAtion key employers in girvan include the grangestone Industrial Estate, the girvan is a natural hub for galloway Participants articulated a sense of rural economy, retail and engineering with outstanding heritage assets and separation from decision-making at the boatyard. there is a need to opportunities for outdoor pursuits affecting their town. Despite some initial encourage more inward investment and including golf, boating, off-road biking scepticism, the principle of participation employment opportunities and improve and walking. was grasped enthusiastically during vocational skills training. the tourist the town is also very welcoming to the charrette. through the charrette economy is seen as a key opportunity visitors although there is scope for the idea of forming a town team was for the future with investment at the improvements in facilities and service. developed, to enable active community harbour and in the hospitality sector Participants felt that the town’s assets, participation in girvan’s renaissance. Our strength also providing benefits to existing combined with carefully targeted businesses. investment, could once again make is in unity! girvan a popular visitor destination and a regional hub, while simultaneously At the end of the day We need to get enhancing the town for locals. with everyone joined companies interested in together we can really

moving to Girvan! What is good for the make a difference! visitor is good for the residents!

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 11 using the key themes from the charrette consider the following structure creating the following groups populated by voluntary community members.

tHE gIrvAn town tEAM ProPoSED StruCturE 3 tHE wAy ForwArD

A strategy was discussed and the following points made: community needs considering to enable knowledge 11. Invite the JtP team to attend the inaugural town of all groups and interests. team meeting – provisionally booked for 29 March 1. we need to deliver a quick win 2012 10. A list of easily deliverable projects needs agreeing, 2. link together the quality of people and use this as an the tasks dividing up and a simple project 12. Invite the JtP team to return in 12 months to review effective pressure group management process being put into place the progress 3. Egos to be ‘left at the door’ project 1 – acquire a building close to the town centre 4. Develop a steering group of the main players as well to develop as a nerve centre for the activity, to be used as those with influence or stakeholders as a centre for meetings and as a drop in centre 5. Meetings held should be open to all, held in a project 2 – paint the bandstand in Stair Park. suitable and accessible place where all are happy to project 3 – deliver a photography wall, in a physical go. sense possibly on the wall of the drop in centre as well In the Town Team you leave 6. the place should have no political connections as having a virtual one on line. your ego at the door - not 7. A remit needs to be agreed on how the sessions project 4 – deliver a website to shout about the just concern for your group, should be chaired, by whom and how the senior achievements. Allow it to be very easy to put up players should operate. A succession plan needs pictures and encourage contributions. this website concern for Girvan! discussing from the outset to avoid extreme lengths needs to be the focal point for the activity, a notice of chairmanship and the risk of it becoming one board, archive and method by which alerts can be sent person’s personal crusade. round to inform of meetings, activity and achievements. 8. the candidates for the senior roles need to project 5 – From the outset capture as much data as understand the context of their positions. possible names, addresses and emails. Consider mobiles too. 9. the past is behind and a mapping project of the

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 13 AErIAl vIEw lookIng SoutH EASt ACroSS tHE HArbour 4 vISIon

the Vision foR GiRVAn

Establishing a vision for girvan was the priority for the Design the charrette to create an environmental, economic and social Charrette. A vision provides the foundation from which all response to the future of girvan. future design and development decisions can be based, so it is fundamental that it brings together ‘best practice’ for design the vision proposes a 25 year strategy to help revitalise the and planning with the best solutions for the community. the town and its environs, with a series of proposals that could vision should be flexible enough to accommodate economic, be developed in the short, medium and long term as and environmental and social change, while maintaining key when funding is available. to help shape the regeneration of principles and components to direct future development. the town, a new town team is to be formed, comprised of interested and active local people, who will work together for the vision is illustrated in the form of an illustrative the benefit of the whole community. masterplan and was established following the charrette discussion, consultation and participation. It draws from analysis of the physical environment, community experience and the Hands-on Planning workshops which brought together members of the local community with key stakeholders, politicians, council officers and consultants. the illustrative Masterplan is a culmination of the key themes from

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 15 vIEw lookIng EASt ACroSS gIrvAn HArbour 4 vISIon

the WiDeR Vision

rEgIonAl lEISurE oPPortunItIES Following the public days of the charrette the JtP team incorporated ideas raised by local people into a vision for the future of the town, based on sustainable design principles and influenced by local design traditions. to further inform the design process, analysis of the key characteristics of the town was undertaken by the team, looking at issues such as:

• regional leisure opportunities • landscape structure • Accessibility by road and rail • the principle promenades within the town • key buildings • the main open spaces and parks • land uses • Active building frontages/ retail core • walking/cycling trails around the town • Car parking locations

these studies are shown here, and have been used to help shape the discussions during the charrette and the development of the proposals.

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 17 PuMP StAtIon At gIrvAn HArbour 4 vISIon

DeVelopMent ConstRAints

In addition, members of the JtP team from wardell water. understand that it may be on a hard drive held by the Armstong undertook an analysis of potential Council previously owned by gCDl. the bgS records • underground and overhead electricity supply constraints to development in and around the harbour the superficial deposits from west to east as: records provided by Scottish Power. area in terms of ground conditions, flood risk and • Marine beach deposits along the sea front locations of utilities, and provided recommendations to • gas supply records provided by Scotia gas comprising gravel, sand and silt. aid the design development process. networks. • blown sand deposits around the harbour with the • telecommunication records provided by bt A77 as an eastern limit further south in the town. to assess potential development constraints associated openreach and available on a search engine for with ground conditions, flooding or utilities wardell residential and commercial broadband providers • raised marine beach deposits of Flandrian age Armstrong llP has reviewed the following information: http://www.broadbandchecker.co.uk/ comprising gravel, sand and silt changing to similar deposits of late Devensian age beneath the eastern • transmission pipeline and cable information • A factual report on ground investigations carried part of the town. out by land-Drill geotechnical limited on behalf provided by linesearch. of Arup Scotland on behalf of their client girvan the borehole records suggest that these deposits Community Developments limited (gCDl). overly glacial clays. Ground Conditions • geological information available on the british the solid geology comprises the sandstones of the geological Survey (bgS) website http://mapapps. the factual report prepared by land-Drill provides Swanshaw Sandstone Formation of the Devonian and bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html trial pit, window sample and borehole records and Silurian Periods. bedrock was proven in two boreholes geotechnical and geochemical test results for a ground at 18.50m and 20.60m below ground level. • the flood map available on Scottish Environmental investigation in girvan. unfortunately Figure 2 of the Made ground comprising reworked sand is recorded in Protection Agency’s (SEPA) website http://www. report was missing and therefore the information trial pits in excess of 3.10m deep. It is likely that made sepa.org.uk/flooding/flood_map/view_the_map. cannot be related to a location. the factual report ground deposits will be present behind the harbour aspx. forms an appendix to an interpretative report and promenade walls. • Foul and surface water sewer and mains water prepared by AruP Scotland. unfortunately this supply infrastructure records provided by Scottish document was not available for review although we ground conditions are not considered to be a constraint to development within the town.

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 19 SEwAgE PIPE

buIlDIngS to bE rEtAInED rIvErSIDE FlooD zonE SEwAgE PIPE

MArInA zonE

SEwAgE PIPE

SEwAgE PIPE

ConStrAIntS DIAgrAM 4 vISIon

utilities flooding Waste Water before the sewer enters the pumping station it passes through a combined storm water outfall (CSo), which SEPA’s flood map shows the harbour frontage up to the brick building adjacent to the eastern end of the flows west in a 1350mm diameter concrete pipe to and including knockcushan Street and the east of the harbour is girvan Harbour waste water Pumping a discharge point at the high water mark. there is Promenade up to louisa Drive as within the area at Station. Scottish water’s records show that the a second CSo which discharges into the harbour risk from flooding from the sea. the area immediately majority of the sewer infrastructure in girvan is immediately east of the lifeboat Station. adjacent to the Mill burn from Flushes bridge to the combined waste water and surface water and flows eastern end of north Park Avenue is recorded as into the pumping station. A 600mm diameter concrete the position of the sewers to the south and east within the area at risk from flooding from a 1:200 year sewer flows west immediately behind the harbour wall of the pumping station are likely to be a constraint flood event. at a depth of 2.38m below ground level (bgl) to the to development in this area. For design purposes pumping station where it is at a depth of 5.78m bgl. an easement should be provided either side of the SEPA have been approached to confirm whether 570mm and 230mm diameter vitrified clay sewers flow sewer equal to the depth of the sewer to allow future any flood mitigation measures would be required for east along knockcushan Street with connections from maintenance. Scottish water were unable to attend development on the harbour front but to date we have Dalrymple Street and Henrietta Street. the sewers the charrette and will need to be consulted during the had no response. combine to form a 900mm diameter cast iron sewer at design process. the northern end of louisa Drive still flowing west to Scottish water’s asset records show that girvan behind the promenade wall. the sewers deepen to the wwtw currently has capacity for 489 residential east from 4.11m bgl at Dalrymple Street to 5.90m bgl at units. the promenade wall. At the promenade wall this sewer joins a 2100mm diameter concrete sewer flowing north beneath the promenade. the sewer then flows north Mains Water east across the car park to connect with those flowing east at the pumping station. Scottish water records show a mains water supply beneath the streets throughout the town. the supply the pumping station pumps the waste water north to the harbour front, including the former swimming beneath the harbour in rising mains to the treatment pool and beach pavilion, is a 100mm ductile iron pipe works. laid in 1976. Scottish water’s asset records show that

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 21 wInD turbInES At tHE outSkIrtS oF gIrvAn 4 vISIon

Penwhapple wtw currently has capacity for 54 Harbour Street and louisa Drive. there is a 6” spur summary residential units. Scottish water were unable to attend from this in knockcushan Street, which supplied the ground conditions should not pose a constraint to the charrette and will need to be consulted during the former swimming pool. Scotia gas networks will need development within the town. ground investigations design process particularly regarding any proposals to to be consulted if the development proposals require will be required to confirm the foundation solution supply a new swimming pool or leisure facility. diversion of any of their network. for any new buildings. SEPA will need to be consulted regarding any flood risk assessment that is required for new development to confirm whether any flood electricity telecommunications prevention measures are required. Considering the Scottish Power has a low voltage underground bt records show that they have infrastructure size and nature of the combined sewers it is unlikely network throughout the town supplied from various throughout the town. girvan’s bt exchange is ADSl that they could be diverted and therefore they will sub-stations which are in turn supplied by an 11kv broadband enabled. there is no fibre optic cable pose a constraint to development of new buildings on underground network. we assume that the sub-station broadband supply to the town. the harbour front. new development should have a for the former swimming pool was disconnected minimum easement equal to the depth of the sewer however the 11kv underground cable crosses the and consultation should be held with Scottish water car park adjacent the harbour to supply a sub-station transmission cables and pipelines as part of the design process. Scottish Power and adjacent to the pumping station. Scottish Power will there are no recorded transmission cables or pipelines Scottish water will need to be consulted regarding any need to be consulted if the development proposals within girvan. diversion that is required for their 11kv underground require diversion of this cable or any of their network. cable that supplies the pumping station. the utility companies will also need to be approached to confirm network capacity to supply proposed development. Gas Scotia gas networks records show a low pressure network throughout the town. there is a 125mm diameter polyethylene pipe beneath knockcushan Street that supplies connections to Henrietta Street,

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 23 DAlryMPlE StrEEt 4 vISIon

tRAnspoRtAtion

A similar study on traffic and transport issues was girvan sits on the busy A77 trunk road between to improve longer distance public transport links better undertaken by another JtP team member from SkM glasgow and Stranraer which allows good strategic interchange needs to be provided in Ayr between bus Colin buchanan to aid the design process and ensure road links but also results in adverse environmental and and rail services and also more of the longer distance that issues of deliverability were accounted for in amenity impacts of heavy traffic passing through the bus services should stop in girvan providing direct the proposals. the outcomes from those studies are town centre. these impacts are felt most when heavy connections to Ayr and glasgow to the north and included below: goods vehicle traffic pass through the town either on Stranraer to the south. the way to or from the ferry terminals further south at Stranraer and Cairnryan. these impacts have increased Pedestrian movement around the town is interrupted in recent months with the termination of freight by the busy A77 trunk road and linkages between the services to Ireland from troon located further north. town centre, the harbour area and the railway station are poor. the town benefits from a direct railway service to Ayr and glasgow to the north, and Stranraer to the south. there is an aspiration to improve the environment of whilst longer distance bus services pass through the the town centre and linkages with the harbour area. town, most of these services do not stop in girvan key to this will be the calming of Dalrymple Street and passengers have to interchange in Ayr. with the and the removal of heavy traffic for some of its length. planned relocation of ferry services from Stranraer to this could be a phased approach with the removal of Cairnryan there is a risk that this may have an impact Heavy goods vehicle traffic in the short term moving on the level of service currently operated by First to pedestrianisation in the medium to longer term. Scotrail through girvan. Alternative routes for the trunk road traffic will need to be identified and a number of options exist as follows:

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 25 HEnrIEttA StrEEt 4 vISIon

henrietta street in poor condition. It also passes some residential areas offered in girvan for walkers and cyclists. there are Currently trunk road traffic can use Dalrymple Street and girvan Academy which could raise amenity and a number of shorter circular routes within the town south bound and Henrietta Street in both directions. safety issues. It is likely that large parts of Coalpots which could be enhanced and some longer distance Henrietta Street is a wide street with housing on both road would need to be rebuilt if this was to be used routes along the coast and into the hills. these routes sides as it enters the town centre via knockcushan for heavy traffic. could be enhanced with better signage and combined Street which follows the harbour side up to Stumpy with some heritage trails which could be created within Corner. by routing all trunk road traffic on to the town. knockcushan Street it will result in higher traffic flows with the A77 trunk road re-designated away from on this route and careful consideration will need to Dalrymple Street, it could be de-trunked and either Improving the pedestrian link to the railway station be given to pedestrian links and crossings. An option pedestrianised for a section or kept open for local could also be done as part of a heritage trail. Access would be to explore a stronger pedestrian route access only. Consideration would need to be given to the station is currently via steps which are not DDA through Stumpy Corner and across knockcushan Street to servicing (could be time limited), disabled access compliant. therefore buggies etc have to be pushed to the harbours side walkway. and access to the car park currently accessed from around a longer route to access the station. this needs Dalrymple Street. there would be considerable to be addressed with the provision of a ramp alongside Coalpots street benefit to the operation of the traffic signals at Stumpy the steps to the station. this street was used as an alternative route for heavy corner in closing Dalrymple Street at this location goods vehicles to avoid the constraint of the railway and rationalising the traffic movements. At present bridge on the A77 as it enters the town. Since the the queuing from these lights can back up for a railway bridge was rebuilt in recent years, Heavy considerable distance with queuing traffic along a large goods vehicle traffic tends to continue on the A77 stretch of Henrietta Street. local Access could then be through the town centre. this street skirts the eastern maintained along the southern stretch of Dalrymple edge of the town and in places is rural in standard and Street and other local roads in the town centre. there is an opportunity to diversify the attractions

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 27 10 1

4 10 12

1 2 11 11 11 10 10 11 10 3

10 11 5

8

6 7

10

9

10

5 oPPortunItIES SItES DIAgrAM 9 4 vISIon

oppoRtunity sites whilst many of the charrette proposals focus on 1. harbourside village 8. promenade improvements the town centre and harbour area, the indicative new swimming pool/ multi use building, hotel, Improvements to existing pavilions, and erection of masterplan shown adjacent shows a series of proposed restaurants, tourist accommodation, quayside new pavilion physical interventions and strategies across the town businesses, boat storage, sailing school which would ensure that regeneration would not be 9. underused spaces project confined to the town centre. 2. Water of Girvan boardwalk reclamation of unused green spaces for community Extension of harbourside promenade gardens or allotments the vision for the wider town envisages the following 3. town Centre streetscape improvements 10. Residential opportunity sites key proposals, several of which could be relatively Contemporary lighting, new paving and shopfront Potential future housing sites – St Johns Church, ‘quick wins’ in terms of improving the local environment improvements to Dalrymple Street and Henrietta Street garage, Sacred Heart Primary and building momentum for regeneration: knockcushan Street School, Davidson Hospital, McConnell Square, Henrietta Street Health Centre, Invergarvan 4. Crafts Village School Arts and crafts workshops and galleries 11. Community/ commercial opportunity sites 5. henrietta street environmental improvements the townhouse, bridge Street Council yard, re-interpretation of historic tree lined avenue Swimming Pool Site, Stumpy Corner. Mckechnie 6. Victory park improvements Institute, bingo Hall, Hamilton Street gap site new swales and SuDS pond to improve drainage, 12. new relief road tree planting and enhanced recreation areas Potential new relief road for Hgvs to east of town 7. stair park improvements 13. Around town wayfinding, walking & cycling routes renovation of bandstand, infrastructure for events Improved signage and road marking

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stAiR pARK

Stair Park is a formal 19th century park located between Henrietta Street and the Coast. originally gifted to the town by the Countess of Stair it contains a Memorial to those lost during both world wars. the Park forms a key space along the beach front ‘promenade’ but at present contains few amenities or facilities to cater for people walking along the coast or visiting the beach.

there is a strong community desire to restore the bandstand that sits on the southern boundary of the park, adjacent to the Cemetery, and it is believed that investigations have already been undertaken to improve the built fabric and to provide water/electricity services. this small scale upgrade would allow the bandstand to be used for events, festivals, outdoor markets and other community events. In the longer term, there could be a more extensive redevelopment project, which could include developing a small café in the park as well as enhanced public realm such as seating, lighting and other features. We're painting the bandstand - stair park vision the council's had their chance!

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pRoMenADe iMpRoVeMents

Currently the beach promenade is under used, but offers stunning views across the water to Ailsa Craig with the spectacular backdrop of the hills framing views toward the south. the exposed climate of this coast provides potential for a plethora of outdoor activities along the beach and the long stretch of sand and promenade provides great connections linking the south west coast of Scotland.

A series of interventions along the promenade could offer more spaces for resting and viewing in the form of promenade today beach front shelter additional shelters or the upgrading of existing shelters. A simple palette of relatively inexpensive and robust materials and furniture would enhance the space and bring it to the forefront to today’s esplanades. Activating the environment is of course a crucial element in the success of any space and introducing events or sports to the beach promenade would assist in its renewal.

Promenade vision Proposed Shelter improvements

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unDeRuseD open spACes

current Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

there is a very clear distinction between the character, function, amenity or facilities and that are poorly In the short term or as funding is identified, small- form and quality of open space in the historic core of maintained. scale works could include upgrading the path network, the town in the north and the more recent housing and new tree and shrub planting to define spaces. areas to the south. In the north, spaces are formal in these spaces have enormous opportunity to serve the next step could be the introduction of new play nature, well overlooked that ensures greater levels of the local community in that they are well located for and recreation facilities, seating, dog-walking areas, surveillance and are designed to accommodate civic residents and flexible for future use. the vision is community allotments and other activities that the functions. to establish a programme or strategy to look at the community would like to see. future of these ‘left-over’ spaces. Ideally this could be In southern residential areas surrounding Piedmont organised by the community and with support of the road, there are a large number of ‘left over’ spaces town team. between buildings – grassed areas that have no

A Vision foR GiRVAn: ChARRette RepoRt exeCutiVe suMMARy pAGe 35 vICtorIA PArk 4 vISIon

ViCtoRiA pARK

building, football pitches for 11 and 7 a-side, and some children’s play equipment. Consultation has confirmed the wide use of the park but also the issue of flooding. Extreme flooding has occurred in recent years with fall-off being channelled down the lane at Ailsa Street East to the burn. the combined watercourses into the burn at the top of the park has exceeded the capacity of the bank burn route, causing flooding over victory Park. the Park has areas of standing water and the pitches become waterlogged for much of the fixture season.

the proposals for this area are to investigate the provision of a sustainable urban drainage scheme within victory Park. Subject to technical appraisal and Park proposal Swale precedent feasibility, the strategy would be to use water retention techniques of swales and ponds, which combined with greatly increased tree cover for the park, will provide victory Park is a large public park at the eastern edge burn or Mill burn which was harnessed for power some additional retention of water. natural filtration of the town that extends from the suburban housing before dropping into the girvan water.) victory Park from reed beds within ponds would also give a greater towards the historic edge to the railway line. It is is a popular amenity within the town. It is located visual and ecological variety within the park. the size of enclosed on three sides by residential streets with a between two schools that use it for additional play the park is such that a drainage scheme of this nature pleasant leafy quality. the ground rises to the east and sports field provision. tree planting is restricted could be integrated into the park while still retaining where the view is contained by hills. (Historically, the to the perimeter and a more enclosed ornamental the football pitches. springs and burns from the hills have been combined corner garden with a central pavilion shelter and areas above the park into a single burn called the bank for bedding plants. there is a small sports changing

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sustAinAble tRAnspoRtAtion loops

with girvan rail station being located to the northern network these regional and perhaps national cycle end of the town, linkages to the south are somewhat routes could link into a girvan trail. with the route disjointed. one possibility for enhancing connections being designated away from the main vehicular within the town would be through a shuttle bus service traffic roads it would offer a safe journey for local operating on a loop from the station to the south. this residents, local school children and people working facility could have the added vehicular traffic benefit and living in the town. Additionally, a cycle hire of reducing local, short journey traffic flow as well as scheme could benefit residents and visitors alike. heightening levels of pedestrian footfall.

the areas surrounding girvan afford great regional cycle routes. through defining a safe, town wide cycle

The Council very kindly created a cycle route in Girvan. I don't know if you noticed? They painted bikes on the road!

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henRiettA stReet

Henrietta Street is one of the oldest roads in girvan – traditionally a ‘boulevard’ that linked the workers housing to the harbour. For many years in the 1800’s it formed the western boundary of the town until Stair Park was created in the late 19th Century.

A key project would be to reinstate the historic tree- lined street. this would require investigation into appropriate species, given its exposure the coast and the likely nature of soil conditions. rationalisation of the parking bays and crossing points can be achieved to create additional space for tree planting.

Henrietta Street today

How do you make more people stop here?

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CoAl DoCK

the Coal Dock area, opposite girvan Harbour is the wind protection are nevertheless growing. these hardy site of a former industrial port at the mouth of the plants are providing an ecological habitat and natural river where locally mined coal was loaded onto boats. edge to some areas of the Coal Dock. Some fragments of this past remain in the timber quay, the particular alignment of the dock-side and the visible the proposals for this area are to identify debris route of rail tracks that approach the dock (over what within the shore area that can be removed (as some is now either waste ground or the landscaped amenity larger fragments of concrete may be providing some of McCreath Park). breaker protection during gales and high seas). within the shore margin, a planting scheme for the same the Coal Dock area on the north side of the river is naturally seeding species would be undertaken so highly visible from girvan Harbour on the south. It that the habitat and ecological edge is reinforced. this has also been previously landscaped with a path, chain would also increase the amenity of the site to those the coal docks today railing, belvedere and informal steps through a rockery who use it and provide a more pronounced visual planted up with Pampas and other grasses. the shore contrast to the Harbour when viewed across the below the path and railings is untidy in places with river from the south. the path and chain railing would some storm damage and large scattered port items be retained with minor maintenance. the steps and such as a cast iron quayside bollard among the boulder rockery planted with grasses should now be upgraded rock. on the higher part of this rocky shore there has to provide an improved landscape environment and been substantial natural seeding of woody shrubs and better edge to McCreath Park but retaining the existing small trees, which although this approach is stunted by informal and natural qualities. the marine environment, flooding and lack of natural

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the toWn CentRe AnD hARbouR AReA

Central to the vision which emerged at the charrette structure and the building forms provided protection the harbour setting is a wonderful asset for girvan, was the importance of integrating the proposed against the element). A variety of mixed uses are and could play a vital role in the future in increasing new multi-faceted building within a new ‘quarter’ of envisaged for the new, vibrant ‘harbourside village’ the tourist footfall of the town, especially with the new the town at the harbourside. Ensuring that the new quarter, making it a lively and special place within the investment in pontoons that is currently scheduled, and building(s) preserved the wonderful view of Ailsa Craig town – a place which will encourage those in transit to the possibility of increasing this provision in the north was seen by many to be an important component of ‘stop and stay’. basin in the future. the new quarter, as well as ensuring that the urban

Girvan harbour

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tHE MAStErPlAn 4 vISIon

illustRAtiVe MAsteRplAn the indicative masterplan forms part of the vision for the the illustrative masterplan proposes that a variety of dockside town created at the charrette, and which it is anticipated the activities should be provided in the future to support the local community will further discuss, refine and develop. fishing and sailing activities. Improvements to the retail environment of Dalrymple Street Key are proposed within the vision, as a vital element in helping to improve the character and perception of the town centre for 1. Swimming pool / multifaceted building 17. Henrietta Street environmental improvements both residents and visitors. Improvements to the open space 2. bistro / restaurant - reinstatement of tree lined avenue at Stumpy tower and the strengthening of the linkages from 3. boardwalk terrace 18. girvan Community garden project the retail core to the harbourside and the beach will help to connect the town to the sea, and a new walkway is proposed 4. toddler’s beach 19. water of girvan boardwalk at the rear of the roxy public house to better link the harbour 5. Market Avenue 20. Stumpy Corner - public square, café, outdoor terrace, climbing wall to the bridge across to McCreath Park. 6. visitor information centre 21. Dalrymple Street retail core environmental Several potential development sites to the north of the 7. Fishermans Quay improvements - new lighting, paving and town centre are included in the indicative plans, including the 8. Hotel shopfront improvements McConnell Square site and the old railway land, which could 9. Holiday village 22. tree screening to bridge Street car park be developed in a variety of ways to improve the townscape 10. Fountain square 23. Arts and Crafts workshops and galleries in this area. 11. outdoor performance space 24. river viewpoint whilst it is envisaged that the following proposals contained 12. boat storage 25. new courtyard residential development in the illustrative masterplan will be the subject of further 13. Sailing School and quayside businesses 26. Extension to sheltered housing discussion and refinement, the projects and ideas contained here could contribute to the strategic vision for the town’s 14. boat lifting in crane 27. new residential development at McConnell Square future, and steer future regeneration activity - bringing new 15. girvan yachting Marina life, activity and economic vibrancy to girvan. the proposals 16. Future marina development 28. Church Square environmental improvements are set out as follows:

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the hARbouR VillAGe

Key was a natural extension to the town. Its streets, and the new quarter is conceived as having several new 1. Swimming pool / multifaceted building spaces would be of a human scale, pedestrian friendly, public spaces for the benefit of the local community 2. bistro / restaurant constructed of good quality natural materials, and and which would attract increased tourism: oriented to give some protection against the prevailing 3. boardwalk terrace • Market Avenue 5 – a flexible shared surface space south westerly winds. 4. toddler’s beach where fishermans and farmers markets could be 5. Market Avenue held along with local festivals, whilst providing car Consideration of the various utility constraints in the parking at other times. An avenue of trees is shown 6. visitor information centre area around the pumphouse have been considered in the Market Avenue, which is intended to continue 7. Fishermans Quay in the proposal, with sewers being proposed to be the proposed reinstatement of Henrietta Street’s 8. Hotel retained to avoid unnecessary diversion costs. trees 17 , and encourage people in transit from the 9. Holiday village ferry to turn left and stop awhile. 10. Fountain square 11. outdoor performance space 12. boat storage 13. Sailing School and quayside businesses 14. boat lifting in crane 15. girvan yachting Marina 16. Future marina development the proposed new Harbourside village is intended as a wonderful new place within girvan, with the multi faceted building containing the new swimming pool and potentially other functions being located at its heart. It would continue the urban grain of the existing street patterns and building lines to ensure that it Cafes Market

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• Fountain Square 10 – a small scale enclosed square with a narrow view to Ailsa Craig, which would be a sheltered place to stop and relax, and having the relocated Fountain at its centre.

• the amphitheatre 11 – with the renovated pavilion as a backdrop and landscaped dunes to provide shelter, a small open air performance space is shown close to the beach, as a place for summer performances

• Quayside Square 13 – a courtyard around which several new marine related businesses could be Quayside building toddler’s beach grouped, adjacent to the quayside. People love to sit and look out over water, and there could be the opportunity here for a café to help support the hustle and bustle of the harbourside.

• boardwalk terrace 3 – an outdoor terrace with views over the boating pond and the proposed toddler’s beach 4

Quayside square boardwalk terrace

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the urban block structure of the illustrative plan for whilst architectural details haven’t been considered in Harbourside village is reminiscent of the way that depth during the charrette, the illustrative masterplan, attractive, historic towns are organized, and would sketches and precedent images suggest a robust offer a high degree of flexibility in allowing different contemporary Scottish west Coast building style for uses to occupy different blocks or parts of blocks. If the majority of the plan area, but with lightweight required it would also allow the functions of the multi- pre-fabricated units perhaps using a variety of bright faceted building to be split between different locations colours for the quayside buildings adjacent to the and developed over time. the drawing shows some Fisherman’s Quay. indicative uses for the various urban blocks, which it is considered would help to create a new destination for girvan. Some suggested indicative land uses are as follows: View from the new swimming pool

12 1 Swimming pool/ multifaceted building 2 restaurant/ bistro 11 7 6 visitor Information Centre 8 Hotel or Hostel 9 7 9 Holiday village 10 9 8 12 Dry boat storage 6 1 5

4 2 3 fountain square

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WAteR of GiRVAn WAlKWAy to extend the harbourside promenade and improve connectivity with McCreath Park and the golf course, a new walkway 19 is proposed at the east end of the marina, along the back of the roxy beer garden and the old cinema. the walkway would use as a structural base the sheet piling installed in recent years by Scottish water.

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boardwalk precedents

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stuMpy toWeR

Stumpy tower corner at the junction of knockcushan • to green the space and in particular some of the treatments Street and Dalrymple Street is a key node point within high walls • to improve accessibility through the addition of the town centre, and is seen as a valuable open space • to plant a new stand of trees close to Dalrymple improved ramps close to the prime retail area. It is also an important Street to partially mask the kings’ pub wall • to maximize the level area useable for visual marker especially for through traffic arriving from • to provide new seating walling and surface performances the north. regrettably the space and in particular the overbearing presence of the adjacent kings’ pub gable wall makes for an unattractive welcome to the town at present.

In recognition of this a local group has made some good progress with landscape proposals for the redevelopment of the corner, and the proposals contained within the draft plans shown here seek to build upon that good work. two alternative ideas were developed during the charrette for Stumpy tower corner, the first being a landscape led solution:

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the second proposal is a building led solution which proposes to partially repair the historic street lines around Stumpy tower and:

• reduce the height of the high wall separating the west of the space from the kings’ pub yard to the south. this would allow more sunlight into the square and make for a more attractive place to sit out • Create a new 2 storey building (possibly a café) on knockcushan Street linking into Stumpy tower and replicating the historic built form on this part of the site • reline the kings’ pub wall with a new glass fronted structure, (potentially a winter garden or indoor climbing wall)

night setting Climbing wall Winter garden Cafe

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DAlRyMple stReet

Dalrymple street is the principal retail street in girvan. deep clean power washing and repair of the footways It is the historic street around which the industrial and (with the intention at some future date of replacing residential town grew to the south of the mediaeval the footway surfacing in the core area with natural village. this strategic thoroughfare has contained the material). principle businesses and shopping offer for the sub- region of . today the street retains shop fronts many of these earlier functions including the trunk road Dalrymple Street has a number of empty shopfronts. that links west Central Scotland to the commercial A co-ordinated scheme to fill empty shop windows ferry ports at Cairnryan. traditional High Streets are would improve the perception of the town to through suffering in competition to the alternatives that are traffic. where possible and in sympathy with the today’s modern retail offer and Dalrymple Street is no historical context of the street, appropriate shopfront different. while fundamental planning and development design should be promoted. where a more modest henrietta street today policies and decisions will have significant impacts on scheme is envisaged, a co-ordinated redecoration of such streets, there can also be positive impact from shopfronts could be supported. smaller work projects. A number of these can be identified for Dalrymple Street as noted below: stumpy Corner enhancements A local interest group, known as “Friends of Stumpy Road surfacing Corner”, are promoting the use of the gap site at the It is understood that monies have been allocated to north end of Dalrymple Street as a place for more the upgrading of the Dalrymple Street carriageway community activity and have developed an outline by South Ayrshire Council roads Department. It is proposal for modest yet achievable enhancements proposed that a co-ordinated approach to several on the site. the key objectives of this group can be streetscape enhancements be considered in connection formulated into a brief that would allow a modest but with the resurfacing work. this could include a new proper landscape design scheme for this important street lighting scheme, de-cluttering of the public realm, corner to be developed, and for which wider funding Proposed Henrietta Street improvements rationalisation of signing, new suited street furniture, can then be sought.

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KnoCKCushAn stReet

Knockcushan street leads from Stumpy Corner down to girvan Harbour. It forms a distinct edge to the built development to the south and to the mouth of the river to the north. It has two-way traffic and is the northbound route for the A77. both footways are narrow which can be noticeable given the volume traffic and size of vehicles. to the north, the footway gives onto a soft-landscaped area with grass and trees and provides elevated views out over the bend in the river to the boat-builders yard, the Coal Dock, McCreath Park and the beyond the lifeboat station to the working harbour and pontoon area. Creating a wider footpath by connecting the existing ones would improve the Knockcushan street today

Proposed knockcushan Street improvements

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noRtheRn toWnsCApe iMpRoVeMents

Key Proposals for the north end of the town centre arose the proposed new residential development should during the charrette, in recognition of the development create a continuity of street frontage to old Street, 22. tree screening to bridge Street car park opportunities that could arise in the future, particularly and the level difference between the site and the 23. Arts and Crafts workshops and galleries related to the anticipated closure of the McConnell road could be taken up with a new wall and railing , 24. river viewpoint Square residential home, and the gap site adjacent more in keeping with the town centre setting than the 25. new courtyard residential development to the caravan park believed to be owned by Dawn existing grassy bank. A new crossing point leading from Construction. It is understood that part of the Dawn McConnell Square towards the historic cemetery gate 26. Extension to sheltered housing land will be used to extend the adjacent sheltered could be used to slow traffic at this busy bend in the 27. new residential development at McConnell Square housing complex 26 . road, and improve the pedestrian connection from 28. Church Square environmental improvements Montgomery Street through the new development thehe illustrative masterplan proposes that McConnell towards the cemetery and McCreath Park beyond. Square be redeveloped for housing in the future 27 , there is an opportunity with a new development to but in a format which helps to improve and define the partially re-instate the line of buildings on the historic approach to the town centre from the north, rather High Street leading to Church Square, helping to repair than the current 1960’s style of development which the urban fabric in this part of town. seems alien to the town and presents a poor street frontage to old Street.

new residential development at McConnell

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Ancillary to the McConnell Square redevelopment it the Council yard adjacent to the cemetery occupies a is proposed to plant a line of new trees to help visually strategically significant location potentially, should the mask the expanse of the oldld Street car park and water of girvan walkway be constructed 19 . whilst 22 improve the approach to the town centre . there are currently no plans for the Council to relocate 26 from the site which is presently leased from the Church the remainder of the Dawn land is considered to be of Scotland, should that change in the future then a new appropriate for sensitive new residential development, destination could be created on the site which could perhaps in a sheltered courtyard form as shown 25 . A act as an ‘anchor’ point to the end of the walkway 23 development here, being in an elevated location, would . If so, and in keeping with the more industrial nature 25 have great views out towards the sea. At the west of of the site, then a small courtyard of arts and crafts the site the remains of the railway embankment would workshops and galleries could be formed which would 24 be undevelopable due to the topography, but could encourage additional footfall and economic activity form an attractive pocket park with a viewpoint to the within the town centre. coast 24 , which would help re-inforce the pedestrian connection from the historic cemetery to McCreath Park. 23

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I am thoroughly impressed with the masterplan and again want to thank all those who took the time to participate and help create this vision. bill McIntosh, leader of South Ayrshire Council Councillor

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