Plans for Ayr super centre stall

Nov 14 2008

PLANS to bring a medical super-centre to Ayr have stalled.

As revealed in the Post last week, NHS Ayrshire and Arran want to move three GP practices under the one roof.

And the centre would also contain council staff for housing and social work.

But councillors have voted to have a site visit after failing to be convinced by the plans.

Ayr College, who currently use the site as a car park, successfully argued that their future would be jeopardised by losing the land.

Ian Valentine, from the college board, revealed: “The college has expanded significantly and there is no doubt that the loss of this car park could prejudice our future.”

SNP councillor Tom Slider also voiced concerns about the effects of the medical centre.

He said: “It seems to me like we have a great opportunity for an educational resource down by the riverside.

“The medical centre is a good idea in practice but probably in the wrong place.

Councillor Slider added: “It would be a large four storey building and have a significant impact down beside the college.

“There should be a way of accommodating both within the town.”