PLANS by a housing association to take over an Irvine community centre have been revived.

ANCHO have agreed to work with North Ayrshire Council on their controversial Community Asset Transfer of the Redburn Community Centre.

This comes weeks after they voiced disappointment with the process.
The Times exclusively revealed how ANCHO were considering abandoning their plans - first submitted three years ago - after North Ayrshire Council delayed moving to Stage 4 of the transfer.

Permission was previously granted in principle for a full takeover but ANCHO were instead offered a community activity pilot. 

A clear timescale for the asset transfer was not set out.

But now ANCHO say they have been reassured by the council that the asset transfer will proceed early next year.

ANCHO Director Elaine Gibson said: “At last Thursday’s meeting of our Management Board we agreed that we will continue to deliver our Youth Arts Programme from the Redburn centre in partnership with North Ayrshire Council until December 2016.

“This was following reassurances from the council that there is a clear timetable now for the Community Asset Transfer of the centre to proceed early in 2017.

“We will work with the council in their efforts to establish a community partnership within the centre which ANCHO could interact with.”

ANCHO’s plans have not sat well with some members of the community, including Irvine West Councillor and ex-ANCHO board member, Ian Clarkson, who disapproved of the company.

But the housing bosses previously revealed an overwhelming majority of residents surveyed backed the plans.

A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The council and ANCHO have agreed to work in partnership with a view to progressing a community asset transfer of the centre should all parties, including the community, be happy with proposals.

“ANCHO will deliver their youth arts programme from the centre this year.”