Council chiefs have promised improved toilets at Irvine beach as part of its grand plans to revamp Irvine harbourside – with the leader telling members they must get provision right.

SNP Group Leader, Cllr Marie Burns, asked if the council leader could summarise the £14million harbourside plans and highlighting the key changes and improvements that will be visible to residents – adding there was concerns on toilet provision with any influx of visitors.

This comes after plans which include new play park facilities were approved by Cabinet back in May – with provisional ideas to be put out to consultation – as well as complaints from residents on toilet provision during the Summer.

Council leader Joe Cullinane said: “We're very much looking to the programme enhancing the toilet provision at the beach park we have set out at the coastal hub section aspiration to have further restaurant provision in the area and a hub down there that would significantly enhance the public toilet provision we have at the beach park.

“I think part of the ongoing discussion isn’t just Coastwatch’s management or the availability of getting into the toilets but just the general amenity and conditions of the toilets – so the investment we bring to this project will hopefully enhance the quality of the public toilet provision at that important area.

“The great harbour project obviously has the potential to bring thousands more visitors to Irvine and North Ayrshire and that is really important to the economy the funding is going to be important to delivering that so we absolutely have to get the public toilet provision right.”

“The concept proposals focus on three activity or event hubs. A Maritime Heritage Hub, which will promote an extension of the National Maritime Museum through additional exhibition and event space. A Marine, Food and Events Hub, which will include the improvement of marine facilities supporting water sports and areas for outdoor events. The initial investment will be to the Harbourmasters Office. This will allow the building and adjacent land to be promoted to develop a food and drink cluster to enhance the existing local offer.

"A Coastal Hub this will include the development of a range of play park facilities. In the longer-term, it is envisaged that there will be opportunities for further restaurant provision and residential development. Alongside these hubs, smaller scale placemaking improvements will be implemented.

He also said: “Following the recent appointment of a design team, the concept proposals will be developed to a more detailed stage. The design team will consider how the proposals can be most effectively developed and consider key issues such as the provision of parking.

“The concept proposals were the subject of a report to the Council’s Cabinet in May, and more recently an update was provided to the Irvine Locality Planning Partnership.

“An appropriate programme of public engagement will be vitally important to shape the investment proposals and understand the priorities of the local communities who will be involved at every stage with initial public consultation anticipated to take place in early 2022.

“Regular updates will be provided to the Locality Planning Partnership and a stakeholder reference group will be formed to ensure ongoing community representation.”