Ayr rugby chiefs lodge fresh plans as they seek approval for phase three Millbrae redevelopment
Top brass at Ayr Rugby Club have lodged fresh proposals for the multi-million pound redevelopment of their home at Millbrae.
With work now complete on phases one and two of the ambitious project, rugby chiefs now hope to get the green light so they can plough ahead with the latest stage of the club's transformation.
Phase one involved improved access to Millbrae, while phase two involved the installation of an all-weather pitch.
Now phase three involves the refurbishment of the Millbrae clubhouse.
Agents in this latest proposal are Jewitt & Wilkie Architects and central to the plan is the building of a new strength and conditioning gym.
Also included in the design plans are a golf simulator room, club merchandise shop, multi-use rooms and more.
General internal and external alterations to the Millbrae clubhouse are also being proposed in order to make the club's base one of the most modern around.
The design and access statement said: 'Ayr Rugby Football Club (ARFC) propose to carry out an extensive Clubhouse refurbishment as part of a third phase in their redevelopment of Millbrae.
'Planning approvals have been granted by South Ayrshire Council for a new access road (Phase 1) and an all-weather pitch (Phase 2) and this application marks the third phase of the Club's redevelopment, which was made possible through the £3m Macdonald Legacy Award.'
The statement continues: 'A third planning application (Phase 3) was submitted to South Ayrshire Council on 5th August 2024, which proposed internal and external changes, with a Strength and Conditioning Gym and Café extension to the north of the Clubhouse.
'This application was withdrawn due to the club's strategy to provide 'sports-based facilities' based upon detailed studies of alternative locations for new facilities to derive the optimum solution for the available funds. Much of the internal Clubhouse refurbishment remains the same in this submission.'
The works involve the following:
• Gym Extension to meet Sportscotland and Scottish Rugby Union criteria for strength and conditioning. The gym will also serve as a daytime 'leisure' provision to the local community and to provide valuable income and activity within the Club.
• Upgrading and increase in capacity of male, female and accessible toilet (baby changing) facilities.
• 'Clean' and 'Dirty' changing facilities for the new all-weather and existing grass pitches to meet Sportscotland and Scottish Rugby Union requirements for male, female, disabled and gender-neutral users.
• New referees' changing for male and female match officials.
• Refurbishment and internal alteration of bar, lounge and functions area, with associated works to the kitchen area.
• Upgrading of the thermal fabric of the Clubhouse including the installation of energy efficient heating, lighting, ventilation and foul/surface water management systems.
• New PV panels and low carbon heating installations.
The proposals represent an overall increase in area of the existing Clubhouse of 288sqm.
The design statement adds: 'The Clubhouse extension, refurbishment and external works serve to create a contemporary environment to reflect Ayr RFC's established achievements and ambitions, however, to respect the Club's rich history and tradition.
'The upgrading and extension will create a sporting complex to support an even greater community and commercial involvement and to provide facilities that met, or exceeded the standards required by the Scottish Rugby Union and Sportscotland.
'In addition to the support of existing uses, the addition of the strength and conditioning gym, club merchandise shop, golf simulator, multi-use spaces and enhanced facilities will increase capacity, participation and provide a facility used all year round and not just within the rugby calendar.'
The proposals are listed as 'pending consideration' on South Ayrshire Council's online planning portal and a decision on them is expected around the middle of September.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Green light for Ayr church annex plan
Religious leaders at the church in John Street previously lodged a planning application with South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for the works. A plan to make alterations and build an extension to Riverside Evangelical Church in Ayr has been approved. Religious leaders at the church in John Street previously lodged a planning application with South Ayrshire Council, seeking permission for the works. Now those proposals have been given the green light. Agents in the proposals were Hamilton-based Angus Design Associates. A supporting statement read: 'Riverside Church plays a key part in meeting the physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs of its local community. 'On a Sunday morning we have over 200 people gathered - representing a wide spectrum of age and background. 'Throughout the week we have a busy programme of activities that we either run or host, attracting more people and meeting a wide variety of need. 'To maintain and build on this success, the time has come to redevelop and improve our facilities. 'Our current 'halls' are not only tired but would require significant structural work to remain usable and fit for purpose. 'We have developed plans with the needs of service users and providers at the forefront of our ambition.' The application states that the proposed new annexe will be 'more accessible' to people with impaired mobility and will provide a 'flexible range of rooms and spaces' of different sizes to accommodate the needs of different types of activity. The supporting statement continues: 'As well as the types of activity one might expect a church to run – worship events, study groups, children's clubs, parents and toddler groups, youth activities, etc – we also provide a range of practical services. 'As a church- and through our charity Riverside Community Trust- we work in partnership with (among others) South Ayrshire Alcohol and Drug Partnership, Seascape Housing Support, Housing 1st (SAC), Working for Wallacetown, NHS South Ayrshire Treatment and Recovery Team (START), Connect 4 Change, NHS Oral Health Team, Circles Advocacy, Ayr Housing Aid, Outside Clinic Opticians, Fuel Bank Foundation, Christians Against Poverty, The Gaiety Theatre and SAC's Community Learning & Development. 'The new annexe will provide accommodation more appropriate to the services we offer. The modern welcoming environment will help enhance the self-worth of clients who are often struggling due to mental health issues, trauma, poverty, homelessness, and drug or alcohol issues. 'We provide a home to an ESOL group made up of refugees and immigrants from a variety of nations. We also accommodate groups for people who suffer from severe anxiety and other potentially life-limiting mental health conditions.' The statement adds: 'Our various activities help enhance inclusion, and assist people in overcoming social isolation. The new annexe will allow us to develop a warm and welcoming space where people can get a free meal, and get help or advice on a range of issues including personal debt, health, fuel poverty, addictions and housing problems. 'The plans also include purpose-built office facilities for our staff who work both in the church and on outreach in the local community. 'The enhanced facilities will also assist us in expanding our services to children and young people, and allow us to provide suitable amenities for training events for local businesses, charities and other groups. 'We would also hope to run more concerts,conferences, film nights and other events of interest to members of the church and local community.' The plans have been designed in a way that will protect the capacity of the church car park, and the demolition of the existing hall will allow staff to provide additional parking spaces– taking traffic away from neighbouring streets.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Daily Record
Ayr rugby chiefs lodge fresh plans as they seek approval for phase three Millbrae redevelopment
Rugby chiefs now hope to get the green light so they can plough ahead with the latest stage of the club's transformation. Top brass at Ayr Rugby Club have lodged fresh proposals for the multi-million pound redevelopment of their home at Millbrae. With work now complete on phases one and two of the ambitious project, rugby chiefs now hope to get the green light so they can plough ahead with the latest stage of the club's transformation. Phase one involved improved access to Millbrae, while phase two involved the installation of an all-weather pitch. Now phase three involves the refurbishment of the Millbrae clubhouse. Agents in this latest proposal are Jewitt & Wilkie Architects and central to the plan is the building of a new strength and conditioning gym. Also included in the design plans are a golf simulator room, club merchandise shop, multi-use rooms and more. General internal and external alterations to the Millbrae clubhouse are also being proposed in order to make the club's base one of the most modern around. The design and access statement said: 'Ayr Rugby Football Club (ARFC) propose to carry out an extensive Clubhouse refurbishment as part of a third phase in their redevelopment of Millbrae. 'Planning approvals have been granted by South Ayrshire Council for a new access road (Phase 1) and an all-weather pitch (Phase 2) and this application marks the third phase of the Club's redevelopment, which was made possible through the £3m Macdonald Legacy Award.' The statement continues: 'A third planning application (Phase 3) was submitted to South Ayrshire Council on 5th August 2024, which proposed internal and external changes, with a Strength and Conditioning Gym and Café extension to the north of the Clubhouse. 'This application was withdrawn due to the club's strategy to provide 'sports-based facilities' based upon detailed studies of alternative locations for new facilities to derive the optimum solution for the available funds. Much of the internal Clubhouse refurbishment remains the same in this submission.' The works involve the following: • Gym Extension to meet Sportscotland and Scottish Rugby Union criteria for strength and conditioning. The gym will also serve as a daytime 'leisure' provision to the local community and to provide valuable income and activity within the Club. • Upgrading and increase in capacity of male, female and accessible toilet (baby changing) facilities. • 'Clean' and 'Dirty' changing facilities for the new all-weather and existing grass pitches to meet Sportscotland and Scottish Rugby Union requirements for male, female, disabled and gender-neutral users. • New referees' changing for male and female match officials. • Refurbishment and internal alteration of bar, lounge and functions area, with associated works to the kitchen area. • Upgrading of the thermal fabric of the Clubhouse including the installation of energy efficient heating, lighting, ventilation and foul/surface water management systems. • New PV panels and low carbon heating installations. The proposals represent an overall increase in area of the existing Clubhouse of 288sqm. The design statement adds: 'The Clubhouse extension, refurbishment and external works serve to create a contemporary environment to reflect Ayr RFC's established achievements and ambitions, however, to respect the Club's rich history and tradition. 'The upgrading and extension will create a sporting complex to support an even greater community and commercial involvement and to provide facilities that met, or exceeded the standards required by the Scottish Rugby Union and Sportscotland. 'In addition to the support of existing uses, the addition of the strength and conditioning gym, club merchandise shop, golf simulator, multi-use spaces and enhanced facilities will increase capacity, participation and provide a facility used all year round and not just within the rugby calendar.' The proposals are listed as 'pending consideration' on South Ayrshire Council's online planning portal and a decision on them is expected around the middle of September.
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Daily Record
Treating South Ayrshire Council services like a business is key say leadership duo
New Independent Leader, Brian Connolly, and depute, Alec Clark, say a business approach is the only way forward amid cash crisis. South Ayrshire Council's new leadership pairing have insisted that taking a business-like approach to some services is the only way forward against a backdrop of ever-increasing financial pressures. Independent Council Leader Brian Connolly and Depute Alec Clark insist that investment in non-statutory services must be sustainable, if not completely self sufficient. Cllr Connolly, who became the council's first independent leader in May, said that this shift in South Ayrshire Council's approach has been the biggest difference he has seen since he joined the council almost 20 years ago. Up until his election as leader, Cllr Connolly held the sports and leisure portfolio in both the Labour/SNP administration and the Conservative-run cabinet from 2022. During that time, there had been massive investment in South Ayrshire's sporting facilities, he said. But he insisted it was not simply a case of throwing money at projects, with investment essential to bring money back in to sustain those facilities. He said this was one of the reasons why members of the administration wanted to maintain stability in the face of the ongoing crisis around procurement that saw both the previous leader Martin Dowey and Chief Executive Mike Newall quit. He said: "It is part of the reason why we wanted to continue. "Our sports facilities are just fantastic. The money that we have invested in these facilities is absolutely fantastic. "But the aim, and this probably took us three-quarters of our time in the council, we've finally got to looking at it like a business. "Let us get people in and let's generate revenue. Revenue is the issue, the capital is much easier. "We can invest the capital, but only if we are looking at it as a business. "We are looking at Troon [pool] and we think that, once the extension is in place, the figures will be through the roof. "Prestwick is just about to reopen. When we do the Quayzone I am sure it will be the same. "The football pitches and the golf courses, they are all generating revenue. Depute Leader Clark, who represents Girvan and South Carrick, added: "We both come from a business background. "You have to look at something and say, what can we do to make that investment pay? "If it doesn't pay, it isn't going to work. "Anything we can to generate revenue we will do. It means, with sustainability, it will be there for the general public to enjoy." The financial strain faced by councils has made the need to find more sustainable approaches is key, they said. However, they acknowledge that the introduction of charging or increasing fees is often viewed negatively. Cllr Clark cited to the investment of more than £250,000 on public toilets at Ainslie Park in Girvan. He said: "First thing we saw was someone saying 'I'm not paying 50p to go to the toilet. "But these toilets are going to be cleaned every day, there has been investment to improve the facilities. "I would ask whether they would want the facility or just have it left as a dump?" Cllr Connolly insisted that this shift in emphasis is the most significant he has seen. He said: " It is not just a case of saying this is a service we have to provide and that is the cost, we are looking at how we can get the revenue back in. "Whether toilets or golf courses. We have to get the money back in. "That then eases the financial pressure on the council."
