Ayr United given green light for Somerset Park works which include training complex, gym and new car park

Daily Record

5 hours ago

The club has received planning permission for the first phase of its Railway End redevelopment.
Ayr United have been given the green light to proceed with redevelopment plans at Somerset Park.
The club's ambitious project to build a new training pitch, gym and overflow car park has received planning permission from South Ayrshire Council.
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It will represent the first phase of work on land behind the stadium's Railway End, purchased for the club earlier this year by chairman David Smith.
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United plan to construct a full sized training pitch for use by the men's and women's first teams and Academy setup. The facility will come complete with dugouts, mini "shipping container stands," and 15 metre high floodlights.
An overflow car park is also planned in the southern part of the site, catering for around 60 additional parking spaces in support of both the new facilities and existing stadium operations.
The club says its planned work, subject to relevant funding, will support its "long-term operational sustainability" along with "community outreach and wider training infrastructure."
The council received no statutory objections to the plans and a total of 70 representations were received - all of which were in support of the proposal.
Approving the plans, council officers said: "The proposal would deliver a new gym building and training pitch in an accessible location, integrated within the context of existing community sporting infrastructure.
"The facility will primarily support club training activity but may also offer scope for broader community engagement and use."
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Welcoming the news today, United owner Smith told the Ayrshire Post: "Once again a big thanks goes to South Ayrshire Council for their co-operation and assistance in getting planning permission for the first phase of the Railway End redevelopment.
"It is another big step forward for the club, the town and our community."
Speaking earlier this year, Smith said: "Without doubt, this project should be the biggest of my time here. It's going to take a long time to realise the full potential and many years to develop what we want on the site. It's something of a blank canvas.
"The main thing is that Ayr United will have everything on site and the club can be self sufficient in that regard. That is a pretty big deal in my opinion and probably pretty unique in the Scottish football landscape.
"Building the likes of a training complex and gym at the stadium makes the club a far more attractive option to people coming here."