HOUSING firm ANCHO are on the verge of dropping their plans to take over an Irvine community centre.

This week the housing association were due to be given the green light for a Community Asset Transfer of the Redburn Community Centre by North Ayrshire Council - three years after first submitting their application.

But the company’s director says the council’s proposals are not what she had originally envisaged - having already been given permission in principle for a full takeover.

Rather than a full-blown transfer of the centre, ANCHO have been offered a community activity pilot in association with the centre to build on projects the firm have already delivered.

In early 2015, the Times revealed how members of Redburn and Vineburgh Community Association were outraged at ANCHO’s original plans which included proposals to make the centre their permanent home.

Former MP Brian Donohoe and Irvine West Councillor Ian Clarkson were amongst those who voiced their opposition to the housing association’s plans.

ANCHO, however, say that out of 8,000 questionnaires issued on the proposal, the overwhelming majority of responses were in favour of the development.

But because of the time the development has taken to come to NAC’s Cabinet, ANCHO have abandoned plans to move and signed a new lease at Sovereign House until 2020.

As the Times went to press on Tuesday, May 24, Cabinet were due to approve the pilot partnership at Redburn.

However, ANCHO’s board will meet this week to decide whether or not to pull the plug.

Director Elaine Gibson said: "ANCHO’s board is now considering how to go forward with the proposals.

“The management board have been disappointed at the length of time taken and are considering this week how to go forward with it.

“Our options will be to either walk away from the proposal or build on what we have already developed at the Redburn centre.”

The council report on the proposal stated: “It is proposed that a pilot scheme be negotiated with ANCHO to gauge the added benefit that might derive for the Redburn neighbourhood by the delivery of a number of innovative community projects by ANCHO from the centre.

“As a first step, a youth arts programme will be run from the Community Centre in partnership with the community and the council, and a partnership review will take place at that stage.”