AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled for a massive £70million scheme to transform a historic harbour area in Ayrshire.

The proposals would create a new community - with shops, leisure facilities and work places - at Irvine's harbourside.

More than 300 homes, many aimed at first-time buyers, are to be built in the area and it's hoped around 160 permanent jobs will be created.

THE HISTORY OF IRVINE IRVINE, the largest town in North Ayrshire, has a history dating back to the 12th century and it became a Royal Burgh in 1372 It was a haunt of Robert Burns, who lived and worked in the town for several years The town's early economy was built on coal mining and the harbour became one of the busiest ports on the west coast of Scotland In the 1960s it was named as one of Scotland's five New Towns - with Glenrothes, East Kilbride, Livingston and Cumbernauld The population increased dramatically as families moved from Glasgow to the Irvine "overspill" Almost 40,000 people live in the town Irvine suffered high unemployment in the early 1980s but received a boost when Volvo set up a car plant there in 1989 and a Finnish firm established the UK's largest paper mill The harbour has had a spectacular regeneration and now houses the Scottish Maritime Museum and an arts centre

Developers believe the new community will also be popular with commuters to Glasgow - only a 30-minute drive away and linked with a regular train service.

It's the biggest development planned for Irvine - one of Scotland's oldest Royal Burghs - since it became a New Town in the 1960s.

Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, formed to breathe new life into five North Ayrshire towns, today announced one of the UK's leading developers, Urban Splash, was the "preferred partner" for the development.

It's expected the development will create 100 construction jobs and on completion around 160 permanent and part-time jobs.

The project is the first major development to be unveiled by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company since it was established just over a year ago.

The company has an ambitious 10-year plan to breathe new life into the Ayrshire towns of Irvine, Ardrossan, Saltcoats, Stevenston and Kilwinning.

They all have railway stations and Ardrossan is the ferry port to Arran and other west coast islands.

Stewart Maxwell, Minister for Communities and Sport, said: "I very much look forward to seeing the ambitious plans for Irvine's harbourside becoming a reality.

"The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to regeneration in our most disadvantaged communities.

"We will continue to work closely with all the partners to bring about positive and lasting improvements for the people of the five towns at the heart of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company's efforts."

Patrick Wiggins, chief executive of Irvine Bay, said: "We are delighted that Urban Splash has become our preferred development partner on this ground-breaking project."

Irvine councillor David O'Neill, leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: "This £70million development is a very exciting part of Irvine Bay's renaissance.

"We are absolutely delighted to have Urban Splash on board with this project as they come with the highest reputation."

Tom Bloxham, chairman of Urban Splash, said his company was "very excited" at being selected.

He added: "We think the site has amazing potential, given its location on the harbourside, the views out to Arran and the beaches running north and south from the tip of the site.

"By focusing on quality architecture, creating a strong sense of place and working in partnership with Irvine Bay and North Ayrshire Council, we can deliver a mixed-use scheme that will help transform Irvine into a great place where people will want to live and work.

"Being our first site in Scotland, the development is very special for us and hopefully will be the start of a very long-term and successful business for us in Scotland."