Work begins this week (16 January) on the next phase of breathing new life into Trinity Church, one of Irvine’s historic landmark buildings.
Clark Contracts has been appointed to carry out a package of advance works – designed to prepare the site in advance of the main redevelopment works and to provide additional information for the main tender.
The project sees another major step taken in the Irvine town centre initiative and also on the town’s Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme, supported by Historic Scotland.
The advance works would also cover issues such as utilities, statutory consents and archaeological interests. It is expected to take approximately eight weeks to complete this stage. The main redevelopment works will start later this summer, continuing until spring of 2013.
Patrick Wiggins, chief executive of Irvine Bay, said: “This is another important stage in bringing this iconic building in the centre of Irvine back into life. Much has already been done to secure and clean up the building, and now we are beginning the process of preparing it for a new lease of life.”
Councillor David O’Neil, leader of North Ayrshire Council, said: “This is a further example of the work being carried out to reinvigorate Irvine. As an important building in the town centre, a renewed Trinity Church will be a clear indicator of progress.”
Trinity Church is a landmark A-listed building occupying a prominent site within Irvine. Its development is an important element in the regeneration of Irvine town centre and an important step in preserving the historic centre of the town of Irvine in Scotland.
Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and Trinity Church Trust, has undertaken to secure the building as a future development opportunity.
An initial programme of repair and preservation, which included the re-roofing of the building, was completed in February 2010. In February 2011 funding of £500,000 was received from the Historic Scotland Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme to allow a second phase of works to take place, including the comprehensive repair of the main church and hall, along with conservation work on the tower and spire.
The Irvine town centre initiative is a partnership led by North Ayrshire Council and supported by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company.
The initiative outlines a vision to regenerate the town centre and kick-start the local economy by building upon the town’s historic beauty and complementing other planned developments in and around Irvine.
Works will focus on four projects over the next five years:
- Major public realm works and improvements in the Bridgegate area
- The refurbishment and redevelopment of the A-listed Trinity Church as a commercial opportunity
- The refurbishment of Bridgegate House
- The development of an iconic new sports and leisure centre for the town centre
Other partners in the initiative include Rivergate Shopping Centre (ING), Historic Scotland and SportScotland.
