Ayr rugby chiefs lodge fresh plans as they seek approval for phase three Millbrae redevelopment
Top brass at Ayr Rugby Club have lodged fresh proposals for the multi-million pound redevelopment of their home at Millbrae.
With work now complete on phases one and two of the ambitious project, rugby chiefs now hope to get the green light so they can plough ahead with the latest stage of the club's transformation.
Phase one involved improved access to Millbrae, while phase two involved the installation of an all-weather pitch.
Now phase three involves the refurbishment of the Millbrae clubhouse.
Agents in this latest proposal are Jewitt & Wilkie Architects and central to the plan is the building of a new strength and conditioning gym.
Also included in the design plans are a golf simulator room, club merchandise shop, multi-use rooms and more.
General internal and external alterations to the Millbrae clubhouse are also being proposed in order to make the club's base one of the most modern around.
The design and access statement said: 'Ayr Rugby Football Club (ARFC) propose to carry out an extensive Clubhouse refurbishment as part of a third phase in their redevelopment of Millbrae.
'Planning approvals have been granted by South Ayrshire Council for a new access road (Phase 1) and an all-weather pitch (Phase 2) and this application marks the third phase of the Club's redevelopment, which was made possible through the £3m Macdonald Legacy Award.'
The statement continues: 'A third planning application (Phase 3) was submitted to South Ayrshire Council on 5th August 2024, which proposed internal and external changes, with a Strength and Conditioning Gym and Café extension to the north of the Clubhouse.
'This application was withdrawn due to the club's strategy to provide 'sports-based facilities' based upon detailed studies of alternative locations for new facilities to derive the optimum solution for the available funds. Much of the internal Clubhouse refurbishment remains the same in this submission.'
The works involve the following:
• Gym Extension to meet Sportscotland and Scottish Rugby Union criteria for strength and conditioning. The gym will also serve as a daytime 'leisure' provision to the local community and to provide valuable income and activity within the Club.
• Upgrading and increase in capacity of male, female and accessible toilet (baby changing) facilities.
• 'Clean' and 'Dirty' changing facilities for the new all-weather and existing grass pitches to meet Sportscotland and Scottish Rugby Union requirements for male, female, disabled and gender-neutral users.
• New referees' changing for male and female match officials.
• Refurbishment and internal alteration of bar, lounge and functions area, with associated works to the kitchen area.
• Upgrading of the thermal fabric of the Clubhouse including the installation of energy efficient heating, lighting, ventilation and foul/surface water management systems.
• New PV panels and low carbon heating installations.
The proposals represent an overall increase in area of the existing Clubhouse of 288sqm.
The design statement adds: 'The Clubhouse extension, refurbishment and external works serve to create a contemporary environment to reflect Ayr RFC's established achievements and ambitions, however, to respect the Club's rich history and tradition.
'The upgrading and extension will create a sporting complex to support an even greater community and commercial involvement and to provide facilities that met, or exceeded the standards required by the Scottish Rugby Union and Sportscotland.
'In addition to the support of existing uses, the addition of the strength and conditioning gym, club merchandise shop, golf simulator, multi-use spaces and enhanced facilities will increase capacity, participation and provide a facility used all year round and not just within the rugby calendar.'
The proposals are listed as 'pending consideration' on South Ayrshire Council's online planning portal and a decision on them is expected around the middle of September.
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