Ayrshire

[Squirrelking]

Originally Posted by AshAshAsh

I severely doubt if the 100% renewables target can be met by 2020 (or that we can even come close to it) so this scheme or something like it will probably be in constrution in ten years or so regardless of the outcome today, otherwise we'll end up with an energy gap in the middle of the next decade.

There are two nuclear stations next door with the land already owned (with the relevant planning in place) by EDF for a third. Compared to the proposed coal plant the environmental impact would be massively reduced by an EPR and local opinion would probably sway in favour of nuclear over coal.

It's a moot point given the current administration but worth considering nontheless.

[Chris99]

Originally Posted by AshAshAsh

I severely doubt if the 100% renewables target can be met by 2020 (or that we can even come close to it) so this scheme or something like it will probably be in constrution in ten years or so regardless of the outcome today, otherwise we'll end up with an energy gap in the middle of the next decade.

Even if we only reach 60-70% it will still be a great achievement. We'll still be able to meet 100% of our demand from non renewable sources regardless.

[Pious Fraud]

Where there’s a weir there’s a way

The Scotsman 28th November 2011

A FEAT of Georgian engineering constructed to power a cotton mill is to be restored to its former glory and turned into a tourist attraction.

The network of reservoirs and a weir in the Ayrshire village of Catrine, built in 1787, was once the largest power scheme in the world. However, the entire structure has started to deteriorate, with sections of the weir at risk of being washed down the river.

The Heritage Lottery Fund will announce today that it is giving £660,000 towards a £4 million project to revamp the feature, which is designated as a scheduled monument.

It consists of a weir, five reservoirs known as the Catrine Voes, a sluice gate and a fish pass.

The system is an integral part of the history of Catrine, which began life in 1787 when Claude Alexander and David Dale, from New Lanark, saw the potential of the natural resources and built a water-powered cotton mill there. The village was laid out with the industrial buildings forming the centrepiece of the main square, and houses built for the workers. It is a substantially intact example of Georgian “town planning” and an outstanding conservation area with 51 listed structures.

In 1828, two giant water wheels, 50ft in diameter, were added to the power system to service the additional demands of the mill. Known as the “Lions of Catrine”, the wheels were for many years the most powerful in the world and became a tourist attraction in their own right.

The Heritage Lottery funding will contribute to a project to conserve the weir, upgrade a disused chapel to create a visitor centre and turn an adjoining Victorian villa into a new Community Enterprise Centre.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/environ..._way_1_1987708

[Pious Fraud]

Dark Sky Observatory work under way in Dalmellington

BBC News 27th January 2012

Work is getting under way on a Dark Sky Observatory at the Galloway Forest Park in south west Scotland.

Enterprise Minister Fergus Ewing is taking part in the groundbreaking ceremony at Dalmellington in Ayrshire.

The new facility, which has received £94,000 in funding from the Scottish government, will be used by schools, colleges and universities.

Ministers say they also hope to capitalise on the recent popularity of the BBC's Stargazing Live programme.

The Galloway Forest Park straddles the regions of Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

It received Dark Sky Park recognition in 2009, and is the only such site in Britain.

The new observatory aims to build on the park's status and will offer visitors a chance to observe the Northern Lights, the Milky Way, planets, comets and shooting stars.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...tland-16756900

[Pious Fraud]

Staff and students settle into RMJM’s Ayr campus

Urban Realm 21st February 2012

A £70m campus for the University of the West of Scotland has provided Ayrshire with one of the UK’s most sustainable Higher Education environments.

The 18,000sq/m campus takes the form of a four storey pavilion clad in ceramic granite, timber and copper and is set within its own woodland grounds, complete with riverside walkway and cycle paths.

Inside the building will accommodate lecture theatres, a library, performance suites, broadcasting studios, laboratories, refectory, sports hall and student union – all under one roof.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3368/...yr_campus.html

[James1901]

Originally Posted by Sweet Zombie Jesus

Plans have come and gone for this site... not holding my breath.

image hosted on flickr

There is so much beauty in that building, it just needs some love

[Pious Fraud]

BBC Pictures Of Scotland

'Salt pan houses, dating from the 1760s, at St Nicholas Golf Course in Prestwick at sunset.'

Photo by Roderick Brodie

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18332128

[Pious Fraud]

Irvine Magnum Centre replacement unveiled

Urban Realm 10th September 2012

North Ayrshire Council has announced plans to replace Irvine’s Magnum Leisure Centre with a new £17.3m replacement as the centrepiece of its town centre renewal plan.

Situated on Irvine's East Road the new Centre is intended to act as a catalyst for regeneration of the B listed Town House - according to a design statement.

North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet member for communities and culture, Councillor Alan Hill, said: “The Council approved the closure of the Magnum Leisure Centre in 2009 after a decline in user numbers.

“The Magnum was built in 1975 as a regional facility and attracted visitors from all over Scotland for many years. However, for the past decade or so, the Magnum has been mainly used by local Irvine residents. The Magnum incurs high running costs due to its age and often operates well under capacity.”

Designs for the new Centre will be considered later in the year ahead of a full planning application being submitted.

The new 25m, six lane pool will incorporate a fitness suite, café and indoor sports halls and complements ongoing Bridgegate public realm works, a refurbishment of Irvine Church, refurbishment of Bridgegate House and development of a new sport and leisure centre.

Subject to the necessary approvals the Centre could be completed by 2014.

http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/3734/..._unveiled.html

[Squirrelking]

Current site: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=ut...ed=0CCEQ8gEwAA

Looks like a good location but it's a shame that the Magnum can't be retained but that end of "town" has been dead for years, I just hope it gets demolished sooner rather than later and not allowed to just sit and rot. Shame to lose the ice rink as well, I'm surprised more can't be done considering it's now the only rink and leisure pool on the west coast. Shutting the place down for a sequential refit would surely bring back the numbers especially given its good transport links? I even remember it being used as a gig venue...

[RapidTaco]

http://www.sdi.co.uk/news/2012/10/ne...-scotland.aspx

New offshore wind test centre launched in Scotland

A new offshore wind turbine test centre capable of hosting three full scale wind turbines designed for offshore deployment was launched today in North Ayrshire on the West Coast of Scotland.

The test centre, which is the first of its kind in the UK, will be located at the port of Hunterston on the coast of North Ayrshire, a site already earmarked for potential renewables supply chain development in Scotland’s National Renewables Infrastructure Plan.

Hunterston’s wind resource, which replicates offshore conditions, coupled with its existing grid connection - make it an ideal site for the testing facility which has a key role in developing Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain.

The advantage of testing turbines on land is that it permits the manufacturer 24 hour access to make modifications and repairs, which is critical particularly for early series prototype turbines.

First Minister Alex Salmond, who launched the fund at the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference, said: “As the global wind industry looks further offshore, towards the deeper waters of the world’s seas and oceans, Scotland is ideally-placed to become a key hub for the design, development and deployment of next-generation turbine technologies.”

Scotland’s economic body, Scottish Enterprise, is investing £4.3 million from the National Rewnewables Infrastructure Fund in a join venture with Scottish and Southern Energy.

SSE will work with its supply chain partners Siemens and Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe to test their latest turbine technology on two of the berths. The third berth will be operated by Scottish Enterprise and will be leased to a turbine manufacturer which has firm plans to invest in the Scottish off-shore wind supply chain

The National Rewnewables Infrastructure Fund was established to support the development of port and near-port manufacturing locations for offshore wind turbines and related developments including test and demonstration activity, with the overall aim of stimulating an offshore wind supply chain in Scotland.

Civil work will start on the site this autumn - the first turbines are expected to be erected by late 2013.

[Squirrelking]

Are Kindles good value for pupils?

A former Largs Academy teacher has questioned the move to purchase Kindles for school pupils at a time of severe budget cuts.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall told the 'News' he was surprised that the Scottish Government could spend £30,000 on a pilot programme to introduce Kindles to Irvine Royal Academy, with the eventul plan to roll it out across North Ayrshire.

The Kindle programme is a pilot one financed by the Scottish Government's Public Library Excellence Fund. This is being piloted with a view to rolling it out to other schools. Meanwhile, over £640,000 has been spent overall on the computer tablets, and other gadgets for pupils in schools throughout North Ayrshire.

Cllr. Marshall said: "One is surprised when North Ayrshire Council is about to consider cuts to its existing education budget. Is this a good way to spend the taxpayers money? There are pros and cons for such electronic hardware - just as when I was a mathematics teacher there were pros and cons for allowing early year pupils to use calculators before they had a firm grasp of numeracy.

However the majority SNP group at NAC argue that the Kindle programme will actually save money in the long run due to printed materials being cut back. Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Education said: "The importance of computer technology in modern education is widely accepted and we are absolutely committed to investing in our children's future.

"Earlier this year, the council agreed to a significant investment in ICT equipment across our schools, libraries, museums and community learning programmes. In schools this investment includes, PCs, laptops, iPads, iMacs, smartboards and projectors."

http://www.largsandmillportnews.com/...ue-for-pupils/

I must say I totally support the SNP on this one, it's the future and early adoption can only be a good thing. Academic books are bloody expensive so I'm sure the cost of the readers will easily be offset by the savings in textbooks. It also means up to date textbooks are easily accessible as well as non copyrighted or open licence works being freely available to teachers and pupils.

[Sweet Zombie Jesus]

Originally Posted by Sweet Zombie Jesus

Plans have come and gone for this site... not holding my breath.

image hosted on flickr

douglasjastewart

Just remembered, work has finished on this a while ago. John Finnie Street side...



...and the, erm, back.

[Boards]

Originally Posted by Sweet Zombie Jesus

work has finished on this a while ago.

STFU!

[Sweet Zombie Jesus]

Originally Posted by Boards

STFU!

I shit ye not. Though they are just council offices now.

[Boards]

Ahh, I see.

I suppose nothing ever came of the proposed office building at the top of town car park?

[Sweet Zombie Jesus]

Originally Posted by Boards

Ahh, I see.

I suppose nothing ever came of the proposed office building at the top of town car park?

Nada.

[Boards]

Thought as much. Oh well...

[Pious Fraud]

BBC Pictures Of Scotland



Wellington Square, Ayr

Photo by Ken Nairn

[Chris99]

£300 million redevelopment plan:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...-west-21460334

[R.K.Teck]

Much needed and very welcome investment in Ayrshire.