Gordon Hunt, divisional director, Clancy Consulting, explains how technical partners and local authorities are working together to unlock growth in Ayrshire
FROM advanced manufacturing hubs and modern business space to large-scale housing and community infrastructure projects, investment across Ayrshire is helping to reshape the region’s economic future.
Collaboration is behind many of these developments: bringing together local authorities, public sector bodies, developers and technical consultants to translate ambition into tangible projects.
As a long-established multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, Clancy Consulting has supported public and private sector partners across Ayrshire, helping to provide the technical expertise needed to unlock regeneration, investment and sustainable growth.
Local expertise with long-term commitment
The success of regeneration depends on local authorities turning to trusted technical partners that understand the opportunities and constraints of regional ambition. In Ayrshire, long-term relationships between councils, public bodies and consultants have helped to create the conditions for investment and delivery.
The Clancy team in Prestwick combines decades of engineering experience with detailed local knowledge, helping to progress projects from concept through to delivery.
Central to Ayrshire’s growth are the relationships between local authorities and delivery partners, providing continuity, local understanding and technical capability.
Championing inward investment in advanced manufacturing
Across Ayrshire, major projects are demonstrating how collaboration between local authorities, funders, and technical advisers can enable economic growth and create long-term value for local communities.
One project that encapsulates this is the i3 Enterprise Area in Irvine, which aims to create a hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation. Backed by £15 million of investment through the Ayrshire Growth Deal, the development aligns the Scottish Government and North Ayrshire Council with a range of delivery partners.
To date, the site has delivered high-quality, flexible commercial accommodation to attract advanced manufacturing businesses, support SMEs and start-ups, and generate long-term employment opportunities across Ayrshire.
Technical input at every stage – from infrastructure planning to engineer design – ensured the site can support immediate development objectives and local demand, while accommodating the need to attract future occupiers in the long term.
Working alongside Entasis Architects, Hulley & Kirkwood and contractor Muir Construction, Clancy Consulting provided civil and structural engineering services from the earliest feasibility and site appraisal stages through planning, building warrant approvals and construction delivery.
The team initially supported North Ayrshire Council through feasibility studies and progression of the designs to RIBA Stage 3, helping facilitate the tender process for the first phase of development. Clancy was then novated to continue the detailed design through RIBA Stage 4 and support the project through construction and approvals. The success of the collaborative approach taken during the first phase has already created momentum for future delivery.
North Ayrshire Council has identified a tenant for the completed buildings, and Clancy is part of the team that will deliver the internal fit-out and building extensions to suit future production requirements.
Creating foundations for long-term investment
With further phases under consideration, the project demonstrates the importance of continuity, technical collaboration and trusted long-term partnerships in delivering regional growth. But while flagship developments of this complexity often generate headlines in terms of their local economic impact, the infrastructure that sits behind them is equally important.
Roads, drainage, utilities and sustainable transport connections all play a vital role in determining whether investment opportunities can move forward – and be expanded when needed. This is where collaboration between local authorities and technical partners is vital. Early engagement helps identify constraints, manage risk and ensure projects are designed with long-term resilience and community benefit in mind.
Engineering that supports long-term regional growth
The i3 Flexspace programme is a flagship project that forms part of a much wider and long-standing relationship between Clancy Consulting and North Ayrshire Council.
As Ayrshire continues to attract investment across housing, industry and commercial development, the importance of strong partnership cannot be overstated.
Local authorities play a critical role in setting the vision for growth. Delivering that vision requires close collaboration with developers, contractors and technical specialists.
By combining local knowledge, engineering expertise and share commitment to regional growth, these partnerships are creating the infrastructure, places and opportunities that will support Ayrshire’s future – and make good on today’s ambition.
