Regeneration plans for “iconic” Kilmarnock site receive new backing

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PLANS for a “landmark” regeneration project on the site of the former Diageo bottling plant in Kilmarnock have taken a major step forward.

The “HALO” Urban Park project, headed up by Klin Group, will be mainly funded by the private sector and has already secured financial backing from the site’s owners, Diageo, who have pledged £2 million to support the proposed regeneration and to donate the 23 acres of land, subject to the project meeting certain economic and community benefit goals and securing financial backing from central government.

Now, East Ayrshire Council’s cabinet has also approved £2 million of support for the scheme.

The council will now seek a further £10 million from the Scottish and UK Governments through the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

Marie Macklin, chair of Klin Group said, “Kilmarnock deserves the very best for this iconic site and that is what we are setting out to deliver. We listened carefully to what the people of the town had to say and the HALO Project will provide a fitting and sustainable legacy for the Hill Street site that will last for generations of Kilmarnock residents to come.”

The proposals include an education, conference and exhibition centre, a leisure and water sports facility, commercial offices, a landscaped public plaza, 175 affordable rented homes and an energy centre.