Brighter future for Galston town centre

Jul 25 2008 Lisa Stewart

GALSTON’S crumbling town centre looks to have a much brighter future after redevelopment plans were revealed by East Ayrshire Council.

At a recent cabinet meeting, councillors approved recommendations that include a £1.6million refurbishment of the Irvine Valley town’s local office and social work offices; upgrading of the informal car park at Church Lane to make it a formal car park; and the aquisition of a number of derelict, privately-owned properties which will either be turned into flats and a community centre or demolished and landscaped.

The decisions come as a result of a recent study to identify potential redevelopment solutions for the town.

According to the council’s report on the regeneration, “the finalised consultant’s report concludes that the regeneration of Galston town centre will not take place without substantial commitment from the council and that a long term comprehensive approach is required, if the continual decline of the town is to be halted and reversed”.

Residents of Galston will be happy to hear that plans for such an approach are now underway.

According to the community council secretary Campbell McClelland, the change has been a long time coming.

He said: “We at the community council have been fighting for changes to the town centre for years, so it’s great to see the council take an interest.

“It will definitely be a welcome change.

“After all, who would open up a shop in Galston town in the state it’s in?

“If things are improved, we should see more wee shops and businesses coming to Galston.”

The upgrading of the derelict car park at Church Lane is expected to have a significant positive impact on the town centre.

“At the minute, parking spaces are a premium in Galston,” said Mr McClelland.

“Cars are just abandoned anywhere, because people have nowhere to park.

“Hopefully this new car park will be well used and this problem can be resolved.”

The existing car park and surrounding area are to be completely overhauled, with “environmental and landscaping improvements” being made.

“The council is now taking steps to secure ownership of this site, in order that they can commence work.

In addition, the existing council accomodation on Cross Street is set to receive a £1.6 million makeover.

“As well as making the local office and social work facilities more functional for council staff, the changes will also make the buildings more attractive as part of the town centre.

The council also plans to acquire several privately owned buildings in the town centre which are presently considered to be eyesores.

Derelict properties at 3-5 Cross Street and 2-6 Bridge Street are to become residential flats, and the former Portland Arms at 2-4 Cross Street could become a new community base.

Furthermore, the unattractive flats at 1-2 Riverside are to be demolished and landscaped as part of the car park upgrade.

Many people in the town have been curious to know what will become of the old Galston Primary School buildings.

Although no definite plans have been put forward by East Ayrshire Council as yet, it is thought that the school will be used as temporary accomodation for the council while the Cross Street properties are being refurbished.

Afterwards, the listed buildings may be sold on to benefit the community.

Though no time scale is indicated for when Galston might hope to see these changes, the report shows that the first steps have been taken towards the town’s long-awaited regeneration.