Harbourside will see major changes with the construction of several facilities along the beach set to start this year.

Dubbed the ‘Great Harbour’ project, North Ayrshire Council’s [NAC] plans will see three hubs built along the coast from Irvine train station along the Harbourside.

These three hubs are the ‘Coastal Hub’ with a playground, upgraded outdoor facilities, a café/restaurant space, and the Pilot House; the ‘Marina Hub’ with a waterfront plaza, food vendors, and the redevelopment of the Harbourmaster’s House; and the ‘Maritime Hub’ which aims to expand the facilities for the Scottish Maritime Museum.

An online consultation is launching on March 24 so that residents can voice their opinions on the plans.

Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Economy and Climate Change, said: “The ‘Great Harbour plans for Irvine are hugely ambitious and very exciting.

“[They] have the potential to put the area on the map nationally and make it a place families from right across Scotland want to visit.

“It’s also about creating something that local residents can enjoy and be proud of – we sure they will be.

“We look forward to hearing from residents and businesses as that input is vital as we move forward.”

In-person consultations will be held across March and April at the Harbour Arts Centre on March 24 from 1.30pm-4:30pm with a ‘Meet the Designer’ event at 2pm, March 31 from 9.30am-4.30pm, April 22 from 1pm-4.30pm, and April 29 from 1.30pm-4.30pm and a ‘Meet the Designer’ event at 2pm.

There will also be a consultation at Fullarton Community Hub on April 5 from 1pm-6pm.

The public can also fill out feedback forms which can be found on information boards and collection boxes at Irvine Library and on the fence in front of the Harbour Arts Centre.

Last year NAC hosted consultations on the Coastal Hub with additional consultations planned for later this year.

Each consultation will inform the ‘Masterplan’ which the council aims to submit to the Planning Committee later this year.

The ‘Great Harbour’ project comes as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal piloted by the Scottish and UK governments alongside Ayrshire’s councils to make the area a better location for businesses.

North Ayrshire residents will be able to access the online consultation here: www.northayrshire.community/great-harbour-project-irvine/46655.

To find out more about the Ayrshire Growth Deal visit: www.ayrshiregrowthdeal.co.uk.