Make It Kilmarnock Report November 2011

8/3/2019 Make It Kilmarnock Report November 2011

1/64N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1

f i n a l r e p o r t

K I L M A R N O C K

I N T E G R A T E D U R B A N D E V E L O P M E N T P L A N

KevinMurrayAssociates


2/64


3/64

K i l m c k T w C e tI t e t e d U b D e v e l p m e t P l - f i l

november 2011

Kevin Murray AssociatesWillie Miller Urban Design

Nick Wright PlanningHamilton-Baillie Associates

Slims ConsultingThe Burrell Company

Make it Kilmarnock

Planning and Economic DevelopmentEast Ayrshire Council

The Johnnie Walker Bond15 Strand Street

KilmarnockKA1 1HU


4/64


5/64

executive summary ?

1 introduction and process 1

2 issues, challenges and assets 5

3 vision and strategy 19

4 proposals 25

5 benefts 47

6 next steps 49

appendix 1 - list of consultees 53

appendix 2 - consultation elements 55

c te t

place momentum study team:

Jas AtwalBen Hamilton-BaillieAndrew BurrellChris Brody

Willie MillerKevin MurrayInes TriebelNick Wright

K i l m c k T w C e tI t e t e d U b D e v e l p m e t P l - f i l

This Integrated Urban Development Plan has been prepared incollaboration with agencies, politicians, businesses and citizensof Kilmarnock as acting as consultees, advisors, critics andenergisers. Particular thanks are due to Lawrence Wyper andMark Greaves.

A full list of participants and consultees is p rovided at Appendix 1.


6/64


7/64

K I L M A R N O C K - I N T E G R A T E D U R B A N D E V E L O P M E N T P L A N

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 | K E V I N M U R R A Y A S S O C I A T E S | 1

1 - i t duct i d p

Kilmarnock is at a crossroads - a pivotal period of change

that so many former industrial towns and cities have

experienced in recent times. It is important that the correct

steps are taken to guide its future direction as an attractive

and liveable town.

Kilmarnock has suffered its fair share of setbacks. The

forthcoming closure of the Johnnie Walker bottling plant

in 2012 is the latest in a series of high-profile closures over

the last 40 years, including Stoddart Carpets, Saxone and

Massey-Ferguson. It is undoubtedly an economic blow for

the town.

However, with many assets to its name, Kilmarnock is also a

justifiably proud town. The grand vista of John Finnie Street

and the character of Bank Street; a string of fine parkland

through Howard Park, Kay Park and Dean Park; and the

cultural assets of the Dick and the Palace Theatre, to name

but a few. Wedded to these physical assets is another less

tangible, but no less important, asset: the pride, spirit and

energy of the people of Kilmarnock.

Kilmarnocks location and role within the wider strategic

context is also important. Historically, the town was part

of the manufacturing engine room that was the West of

Scotland, producing a range of goods that were shipped

around the Empire. Whilst engineering is still present in the

town Mahle and Barclays are two prominent examples the

strategic role of Kilmarnock is shifting. The M77 means that

Kilmarnock is now more a part of metropolitan Glasgow

than ever before, with a new economic relationship with the

city based in part around its growing role as an affordable

commuter town.

This is an opportune time to think about the future, and plan

not only how the extensive Diageo site may best contribute

to the towns resurgence, but also how the wider town

should prepare itself for the future.

King Street


8/64

2 | M A K E I T K I L M A R N O C K B O A R D | E A S T A Y R S H I R E C O U N C I L

Any vision and proposals for change must be couched in

terms of realism, as this study takes place at a time of

deep economic uncertainty. The country has been in the

grip of a severe economic downturn since 2008. Property

development remains sluggish and public spending is being

reduced, a trend which is almost certain to continue in the

short to medium term. In summary, the immediate context

is characterised by uncertainty and difficulty in securing

investment.

The vision and proposals put forward in this report

must respond realistically and sensitively to the limited

possibilities of the moment, yet also set positive aspirations

as longer term goals of investment and change.

It is important to emphasise that this plan is an integratedurban development plan , that connects across a number of sectors, seeking a transformative impact from lots of smaller

scale actions.

im f t e pl

The Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP) for

Kilmarnock was commissioned by the Make it Kilmarnock

Board and in the autumn of 2010, and funded by East Ayrshire

Council and Diageo. Its focus was on the central area of

the town, in and around the town centre, and including

the Diageo site. The aim is to address the immediate and

forthcoming needs of the town, both for residents, but also

for business and visitors, by generating a forward-looking,

yet deliverable vision. It replaces the Kilmarnock Town Centre

Strategy produced in 2005.

The Plan is the result of intensive discussion and analysis

in late 2010 and early 2011 about the future of the town.

The objective of the vision is to chart a viable future for the

town and its centre, creating a revitalised heart and soul

by using Kilmarnocks rich heritage as a springboard for

detail of t e Clydesdale bank building on East George Street

future development, whilst also addressing employment,

retail, education, cultural, living and visitor perspectives.

Community engagement has been an important part of

preparing the IUDP.

The brief required that the IUDP

should identify key development opportunity sites, and

put forward development and place-making principles

to guide planning policy and design frameworks for the

town centre.

promote high quality place-making, recognising the

unique qualities of Kilmarnock and enhancing the

towns built environment and public spaces by setting

out principles to create a more lively, attractive, healthy

and sustainable town.


9/64



The emphasis of the study is, therefore, on future physical

and spatial change. However, during the course of the study,

particularly through engaging with local residents and

businesses, it became clear that physical change should run

alongside and support economic and social change. This

plan therefore aims to integrate economic and social action

with physical interventions.

The IUDP is intended to link with the statutory planning

system by contributing to the forthcoming Local

Development Plan, as well as other public and private policy

initiatives.

pp c t t e IUDP

The Kilmarnock IUDP had to be prepared in a very contracted

timespan through winter, while engaging with business and

the community. The process of preparing this plan is made up

of two simple phases.

The first phase of analysis included engaging with a wide

cross-section of people in Kilmarnock to understand their

aspirations and concerns. We made contact with over

450 people from businesses, schools, neighbourhoods,

shoppers, visitors, youth groups, public agencies and social

enterprises . Some people gave us their thoughts in a short

conversation on a street corner; others took part in in-depth

workshop discussions.

Taken together, they provided a wealth of information from

different perspectives about how the town and its centre,

parti cularly, functions both physically and socially. It also

allowed us to understand peoples concerns about the town,

and their aspirations for its future.

In parallel with those engagement discussions, the study

team undertook analysis of the towns economy and physical

environment, and took time to understand the wide range

t e gus et building at t e corner of Garden Street and West George Street


10/64


of other initiatives happening in the town. Chapter 2 of this

report summarises the issues, challenges and aspirations

that emerged from that first phase of the study.

The second phase was to generate a vision and action

proposals as a response to the issues, challenges and

aspirations. How should the town, and particularly the town

centre, evolve to become more lively, attractive, healthy

and sustainable? The second phase involved developing a

coherent vision and proposals to address the challenge in a

the Procurator Fiscals of ce on St Marnock Street

recessionary context. The draft proposals were tested in two

workshops in early March 2011, with participants from public

agencies, businesses and community groups.

Chapters 3 and 4 map out that vision and proposals, and

chapter 5 outlines the benefits that should accrue from

implementing them. Chapter 6 then identifies what needs

to happen to take this IUDP forward to become reality,

including a full list of proposals for early action (0-1 year),

mid term (1-3 years) and longer term (3+ years).


11/64



2 - i ue , c l le e d

Kilmarnock, its town centre and its people undoubtedly face

a range of issues and challenges as a post industrial town

in West Central Scotland. However, unlike some places, the

town has clear strengths and opportunities from which to

build a more sustainable future. This chapter sets out some

of those issues, challenges and opportunities, drawing from

the views of local people and organisations,

analysis of the built and natural environment, and

consideration of the economic context

2.1 F m E eme t: l c l pe ple,l c l i ti d l c l bu i e

Between November 2010 and January 2011, the study team

made contact with over 450 people from businesses, schools,

neighbourhoods, shoppers, visitors, youth groups, public

agencies and social enterprises. Some people took part in in-

depth workshop discussions, others gave us their thoughts

in a short conversation on a street corner. Appendix 2 gives

further details of the events.

This section provides an overview of the issues raised as a set

of themes. At the heart of peoples aspirations was a desire to

get people from Kilmarnock and surrounding communities

into the town centre, so that it again becomes the bustling,

lively focus of the town. Nine themes emerged from the

consultation on how this might be done. Taken together,

these build a detailed picture of the towns issues, challenges

and assets as perceived by its user population.

2.1.1 T e importance of people

positive = Kilmarnock was cited as the friendliest

shopping town in Britain in 2006, with strong

community pride and identity, a desire to make the

town better, an improving Council, and a generally

positive press. It was viewed as less impersonal than

stake older works op 08/03/2011

stake older walkabout 08/03/2011

Loan ead Primary Sc ool works op


12/64


out-of-town malls like Silverburn

negative = However, antisocial behaviour in the town

centre is a real problem. This is strongly linked to the

concentration of methadone dispensing in town centre

pharmacies, and is a strong deterrent to people of all

ages coming into the town centre, particularly around

the Bus Station entrance

there is a clear need to foster a more positive spirit and

build confidence and pride about the centre of town

2.1.2 Make t e town more attractive and competitive

It was recognised that it is important for the town

centre to be competitive: clean, well-maintained,

welcoming, safe and attractive public realm perhaps

even covered?

Broadening the shopping offer is really important to

people both bigger name/brand shops (e.g. Primark)

and also local independents (see also theme 8 below)

Having more things going on in the town centre with a

good programme of activities/events in public spaces

(see 9 also), a wider range of events in venues like the

Palace, and a creche for kids while parents shop, etc

Derelict/uncared for buildings and spaces need to be

fixed: particularly along John Finnie Street (especially

the Opera House), Sandbed Street and the river (both

of which are seen as having great potential), and the

northern and southern edges of the town centre (its

front doors)

Addressing the number of abandoned shops and the

rundown appearance they create is a big concern.

There was an appeal for these to be put to more positive

use

The 1960s/1970s redevelopments NE of the Cross are

unloved the Bus Station especially (unwelcoming

during the day, unsafe at night), but also the Burns Mall,

the Palace underpass, the Foregate, the Clydesdale Bank

and the multi-storey car park.

Built heritage is acknowledged to be a valuable asset

Kilmarnock bus station


13/64



but there is also an aspiration for newer shops and

buildings

2.1.3 Build on assets

Nurture and connect the towns many assets, including:

Bank Street

Howard and Kay Parks

built heritage e.g. John Finnie St

friendliness

the river

The Galleon

Dick Institute

schools and college

bus station

good retail offer for the size of town (some say good

range of shops, others say poor)

cafes

clean

quality residential areas

Kilmarnock Football Club

build on existing character: both of the built

environment and people (friendliness/personal

service)

convenience: the town centre is conveniently

located, easy to access (except for the barrier effect

of the ring road) and the shops are close together

accessible location with good strategic linkages:

close to two major international airports, and

there is good road/rail accessibility with respect to

Glasgow, East Kilbride, Ayr and other towns, as well

as a sizeable market town hinterland

existing employers: some big firms have gone, but

we need to support other employers left in the town

and make the most of them e.g. bring Council

employment into the centre, support existing

employers to grow (both manufacturing and

services)

2.1.4 Build leisure and recreational role

The evening offer is currently considered way too limited

needs more critical mass:

make more of existing venues like the Palace Theatre

more bands for all ages

introduce night-time uses on King Street currently all

shops

need restaurants and healthy food options

need a hotel in the town centre (boutique rather than a

chain?)

programme of activities/events in outdoor public spaces

and indoor venues (see 3 also)

the Galleon is an important asset, for young people in

particular make it more accessible/affordable and

more wide-ranging (e.g. climbing wall, Laserquest etc)

youth centre, skatepark/bmx, other social and retail

things for young people e.g. Glasgow Spreebook,

cheaper buses to get into town (walking not always

safe) so they can use the town centre more

other young peoples stuff e.g. skateboard park (already

proposed by young people but foundering for lack of

support), legal graffiti wall, pool not in a pub for


14/64


2.1.6 Connecting places in and around t e town centre

There is a need to better connect the town centre with

greenspaces (Howard Park and Kay Park), civic area (Dick

Institute, existing College site etc), Queens Drive retail and

leisure

one-way system is too much of a barrier to connections

between the town centre and surrounding assets and

neighbourhoods traffic dominates at the expense of

pedestrian/cyclist movement

at Sturrock St/ Green St, physical design as well as traffic

create a formidable barrier

need easy, non-car-based movement between Queens

Drive and the town centre e.g. high quality, regular,

cheap/free shuttle bus preferably eco-friendly

2.1.7 Connecting people and organisations

Public, private and voluntary sectors need to work to each

others mutual benefit much more creating a better town

centre needs commitment and input from each of them

this covers politicians, Council officers, College, other

public sector, businesses, social enterprises, community

groups all need to connect up better, linking the good

things that are happening

need more flexibility, more entrepreneurial attitudes

and more equal dialogue/support across par tners

2.1.8 Independent Kilmarnock - small businesses andenterprises

foster independent shops, businesses and social

enterprises - locally based for local people

support existing businesses who want to grow and

invest in the town some of whom are substantial

develop a more positive entrepreneurial spirit amongst

public sector, a can do attitude to support small local

private and social enterprise

aspiration for greener lifestyles build on having first

bio-buses in Britain

2.1.9 Celebrate Kilmarnock

There is a need for better, more proactive strategic

promotion - to celebrate the towns identity, pride and what

it has to offer whats on activity guide all this is as much

for the towns own residents as for external markets

for many people outside Kilmarnock, their most recent

perception is BBCs The Scheme which was relatively

negative and needs short term tactical response

how attractive might the tourist offer be? ...would the

Burns connection, Kilmarnock Dean Castle, the legacy

of Johnnie Walker and the built heritage attract people?

should we have a tourist information centre? could we

integrate better with Ayrshires big tourist draws such as

Prestwick Airpor t, Alloway and Troon?

Building up pride and confidence was seen as a key

objective over time

2.2 built d tu l e vi me t

Overview :

In physical terms, much of Kilmarnock is attractive and

distinctive. A substantial part of the fabric of the town

is made up of a series of residential neighbourhoods of

different ages, many of which have their own retail centres,

schools and community hubs. Two of these neighbourhoods

are Conservation Areas which are close to the town centre.

Part of the attraction and distinctiveness of the town also

lies in its extensive parks and greenspace with some of these

running into the town centre itself. Industrial areas of the


15/64



town have traditionally been situated close to the town

centre, particularly in the north-west sector along the main

railway line to Glasgow and to the south along the B7038.

These areas have seen considerable structural change in the

past decade and this will continue with the closure of the

Diageo complex.

The 20th century has seen major changes in the structure of

the town. The most significant of these are:

the modernisation of the town centre in the 1970s

through redevelopment and road construction the expansion of peripheral residential developments the decline of local industries particularly around the

north west and south of the town centre bringing about

structural and land use change the development of the Queens Drive area for out-of-

centre retail and leisure

The effects of these changes can be summarised as:Kilmarnock 1819

Kilmarnock 1939 Kilmarnock 2011


16/64

1 0 | M A K E I T K I L M A R N O C K B O A R D | E A S T A Y R S H I R E C O U N C I L

poor quality new building in the town centre dislocation of the town centre from surrounding

residential areas by roads infrastructure contraction in the role of the town centre exacerbated

by competing attractions fragmentation of the urban fabric along High and Low

Glencairn Street

So in physical terms, there is a mismatch between the size

of the centre and the roles that it can play in the early 21st

century. Coupled with the current recession, this manifests

itself as:

an inability to achieve development on key sites,

especially at the north end of the town centre

high levels of vacancy, especially in more recently

constructed properties

Appreciation:

The commentary above has focused on some of the

challenges that face the town centre and while there are

many negative factors and difficulties to resolve, these

is also much that is positive and helps to provide a good

quality environment for people and businesses. There are

many assets which at the moment are under-utilised and

could provide the basis for substantial positive change in the

character of the town centre and the way in which it relates

to the rest of the town.

A ric eritage:

Much of the west side of Kilmarnock town centre is covered

by the John Finnie Street and Bank Street Outstanding

Conservation Area. This area occupies a slightly sloping

site running up to the base of Mount Pleasant, the hill that

dominates the northern side of the town centre. The Railway

line and 23 span Viaduct forms a definite edge to the northern

part of the town centre. A stretch of the Kilmarnock Water,

behind Bank Street, traverses the town centre and forms the

eastern edge to a portion of the existing Conservation Area.

Streets within the Conservation Area are a combination of

some of the oldest and most historic streets in Kilmarnock

and some Victorian era additions, which are distinguished

by their straight lines. Bank Street and John Finnie Street

form twin spines of the Conservation Area, with most of the

other streets within it bisecting one or both of these streets.

The irregular street pattern of Bank Street and surrounding

streets such as Strand, Croft, Cheapside, College Wynd and

Low Church Lane provide a sharp contrast to the planned

Kilmarnock Cross, late 19t century

Jo n Finnie Street, 1905 from Ayrs ire & Arran, An illustrated Arc itecturalGuide, Rob Close


17/64


N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 1 | K E V I N M U R R A Y A S S O C I A T E S | 1 1

geometry and straight lines of John Finnie Street and King

Street.

There are two historically and architecturally distinct areas

within the Conservation Area: John Finnie Street; and the

Laigh Kirk, Bank Street and Strand Street.

John Finnie Street: A superb and unusually

complete example of a Victorian planned street. The

distinctiveness of the street is defined by its largely

uniform use of quality building materials such red

sandstone. The scale and character of the street

contrasts with the rest of the town.

Laigh Kirk, Bank Street and Strand Street: This area

comprises the post-medieval core of the town. Although

made up of largely 19th century buildings the original,

irregular medieval street plan is adhered to and is the

defining characteristic of this part of the Conservation

Area.

Kilmarnock eritage


18/64


The conservation area provides some of the highest quality

environments in Kilmarnock. The fact that the conservation

area designation includes both sides of John Finnie Street

and extends west from there to include a range of mixed use

properties means that although the street is part of the one-

way system, it is rather less intrusive and difficult to cross

that other parts of the gyratory. However John Finnie Street

is in need of considerable improvement if it is to become

not only a significant planned street with good architecture

but also a social space where people congregate and feel

comfortable.

River and greenspace:

One of Kilmarnocks undiscovered gems is the Kilmarnock

Water which flows through the town centre from north to

south. Many attractive towns and cities are famous for their

relationship with a river or waterway. Usually the town has

embraced the river in some form and provides a means of

accessing its banks or simply watching the water this in

turn attracts people to the river and often encourages the

development of promenade cafes and social spaces.

In contrast, the Kilmarnock Water is largely hidden from

view. The Burns Mall shopping centre is built over it there are

no views of it from King Street or Bank Street. Three bridges

and Sandbed Street provide the only means of getting close

to the river. At the same time just beyond the town centre

to the north east, the Kilmarnock Water flows through Kay

Park until it disappears behind the Palace Theatre. In the

south west, the river opens out into Howard Park providing a

picturesque focus for this popular greenspace.

There is enormous potential to establish a more positive

relationship between the town centre and the Kilmarnock

Water in which the river becomes a more obvious and

integral part of a high quality town centre environment. A

more positive relationship might also involve using the river

to improve connections with the town centre and the rest of

the town through a series of comfortable pedestrian spaces

and linking footpaths. Such a footpath system could also

encompass a wider green network throughout the town. In

other words, the blue and green network traced out by the

Kilmarnock Water and the existing parks and Core Paths

could be enlarged and integrated into a town-wide system

focused on links to the town centre. Such a network would

link people, places and habitats.T e Kilmarnock Water and Sandbed Street


19/64



Movement:

The legibility of Kilmarnock town centre is much eroded by

the one-way system. The two-lane clockwise gyratory, with

its accompanying signs, barriers and traffic signals, reduces

much of the town centres character to anonymous and often

over-sized highway.

On the west side of the one-way system, John Finnie Street

is not a comfortable place for pedestrians and the retail

offer is undermined by the discomfort of crossing the two

lanes of traffic. Extensive use of traffic signals adds to the

congestion, further eroding the qualities of the street.

Signalling of pedestrian crossings favours traffic to a marked

extent.

The top end of Green Street, framed by the railway arches

on one side and car parks on the other, forms a physical

and psychological barrier between the town centre and the

northern area of the town. The bottom end of Green Street

and Sturrock Street face the backs of the main local shopping

centre. Pedestrian routes are limited to the riverside, with

very limited opportunities to cross the road towards the

centre. The theatre, one of the towns principal attractions,

is located adjacent to a four lane road and is connected to

the town centre by an underpass and an awkward at grade

route to the bus station.

The approach to the pedestrianised area of King Street from

the south-east is parti cularly poor. Pedestrians are required

to cross a 4-lane junction and walk along the side of a super-

store. A series of pedestrian barriers guides them along the

A735 towards the pedestrianised area, where traffic sweeps

along Titchfield Street towards St Marnock Street barely

acknowledging the presence of King Street.

An integral part of the movement system is the parking

provision which is concentrated in one multi-storey car park

at the north end of the town which is not par ticularly well

used and a series of at grade car parks distributed around

the one-way system. Some of these at grade car parks are

certainly popular on particular weekdays and at different

times of day but their effect on the appearance of the town

centre, and on first impressions is negative. With a few

exceptions, for example the car park between Nelson Street

and St Marnock Street near the Sheriff Court, these car parks

do not even act as social spaces or relate properly to the

surrounding land uses.

Public realm:

The town centre has been the subject of considerable

investment in pedestrianisation and public realm with much

effort put into the design of streets and the materials used.

However within the town centre Conservation Area between

John Finnie Street and King Street, one-way restrictions

compromise the coherence of this very lightly trafficked

environment.

The width and configuration of the southern stretch of the

gyratory system erodes the connections between King Street

and the rest of the town. The dominance of highway clutter

such as barriers, signs, bollards, barriers and traffic signals

is merely one part of a deeper problem limiting the towns

potential.

The location of extensive parking areas at the edge of the

inner town centre creates a sudden change in scale that adds

T e King Street/Titc field Street section of t e one-way system


20/64


to the feel of segregation between the town centre and the

rest of the town. As a result, the town feels disjointed with

few good connections between the centre and the outer

neighbourhoods. For the visitor, the layout of the town is

very difficult to comprehend.

John Finnies Street feels disjointed both from the railway

station and the rest of the town centre despite its key role of

linking the station to the town.

Sturrock Street feels uncomfortably wide, the space outside

the theatre is particularly bleak and unwelcoming while the

underpass is an inappropriate link between the theatre and

the town centre.

Vacancy:

In common with many town centres throughout the UK at

the moment, vacant property is an unfortunate feature of

Kilmarnock town centre. This is found throughout the town

centre but there are particular clusters where vacancy is

especially high around:

Portland Street and Foregate at the north end of the

town centre the bottom of King Street/Titchfield Street that is part

of the one-way system

In the case of Portland Street and Foregate, the vacancy rate

is surprising given that these streets are the main routes

into the town centre from two of the most popular car parks

but there is anecdotal evidence from shopkeepers that

these areas are not popular shopping streets because of the

presence of anti-social behaviour associated with drug users

as was reported earlier in this document.

In the case of King Street/Titchfield Street, the problem is

easier to define. The pedestrianised section of King Street

to the north of the vacancy cluster and that part of Titchfield

Street to the south of the cluster are reasonable successful

for retail. The vacancy cluster itself is along part of the

one-way system where pedestrian routes are defined and

enclosed by guard rails which create a hostile environment.

Summary

Town centre dynamics and integration:

This brief analysis of the physical characteristics of the town

centre has highlighted many positive facets of Kilmarnock

and its town centre especially the qualities of the towns

residential neighbourhoods, the parks and greenspaces, the

merits of the town centres built environment and the public

sectors investment in high quality public realm over the past

20 years.

The principal factor preventing these assets from integrating

into a more complete place is the traffic system, its

infrastructure and the poor environment which it creates for

visitors, businesses, car users and pedestrians. The traffic

system includes the car parks which have a negative impact

on first impressions of the town and its visual qualities. The

same can be said about the signage associated with the road

vacancy clusters in and around t e town centre


21/64



system. This traffic system was designed for a time when the

town centre was a much more popular and busy place than

it is today and the time may be right to consider a complete

change of philosophy and approach. The opportunity exists

to change the road system to create a series of placemaking

initiatives built to the same high quality as the existing work

in the town centre but with the additional aim of creating

well used social spaces rather than just visually attractive

public realm.

In terms of opportunities for change through development

or redevelopment, the current property market difficulties

suggest that there may only be limited opportunities for new

interventions . But given a longer timescale than the horizon

of the current recession there is a clear need and expressed

desire for change. These are in the shorter term:

a comprehensive development proposal for the top of

the town including the area south of the viaduct at

Green Street, the car parks at Larchfield Road, Portland

Street and the buildings on Foregate development proposals for the Diageo site just outside

the town centre to the north west on Hill Street promoting and encouraging development proposals

and the conversion of properties facing the river along

Sandbed Street

In the medium to longer term:

development proposals for the series of at grade car

parks around the one-way system aimed at starting

to rebuild street frontages, particularly onto Sturrock

Street development proposals to repair urban fabric in the

Titchfield Street and Glencairn Street areas

These proposals will have a marked degree of synergy with

proposals for a comprehensive blue and green network across

Kilmarnock and focusing on the town centre.

2.3 ec mic c textWider Economic Drivers

The economic experience of Kilmarnock is rooted in the wider

experience of the Scottish and UK economies over the last 30

years. Scotland today is a very different place economically

to where it was in 1980. Looking over that period we have

witnessed a number of major shifts in the economy which

have impacted on Kilmarnocks competitiveness:

Massive structural economic changes. The Scotland

of 1981 was a country of coal, steel, engineering and

manufacturing . Scotland today makes its living in an

entirely different way. In 1981, almost a quarter of people

in work earned their living in manufacturing and mining

industries by 2010 the equivalent figure was just 8% 1.

Today almost 90% of all jobs in Scotland are located

within service industries.

The rise of the knowledge economy: Firms in Scotland

now increasingly compete on the basis of generating

and exploiting knowledge and ideas. This is a key driver

of the increased demand for higher level skills in the

labour market, but it also places greater emphasis on

access to research and development expertise, strong

links between Higher Education and the Business Base

and, string business networks.

Location matters for business but in different ways:

The factors that are driving business location decisions

are subtly different from what they were 30 years

ago. High quality business places and environments

remain important for major firms, as does the ability

to draw on large pools of talent and skills. Strategic

and local transport networks are also important as is

digital connectivity. And quality of life issues are also

increasingly important in the decision making of firms

and of individuals.

Personal mobility and choice have impacted on place

The last 30 years have witnessed a significant weakening

of the ties between where we work, where we shop and

where we live Increased car ownership, better transport

infrastructure and higher wages have led to higher

levels of commuting and the rise of out of town business

parks, retail parks, and leisure parks. This drift towards

edge of town and edge of city development has had

1 ONS Workforce Jobs


22/64


major impacts on town centres, including Kilmarnock.

But choices havent been open to everyone Al the

academic evidence on commuting patterns confirm that

people with higher skills are more likely to commute for

jobs with the higher wages they achieve off-setting the

increased costs of travelling. Those in low paid jobs are

less likely to travel, and those out of work can face major

barriers in terms of travel to work.

A higher skilled workforce, but greater polarisation: As

the Scottish economy has transformed into a service

sector economy weve had to get smarter and develop

new skills. Many jobs need higher level skills and

today more than one in three people in employment in

Scotland has a degree. This has been underpinned by a

massive expansion of higher and further education.

Unemployment and the legacy of worklessness This

economic transition has left those with low level skills

further behind. People with low levels of qualifications

can typically access only low skilled, low paid work

and are four times as likely to be unemployed then

the average worker. There is also strong evidence

that worklessness is being passed from generation to

generation, especially in communities that have been

hit hard by de-industrialisation.

These trends have tended to reinforce the importance

of cities and engines of economic growth. Glasgow and

Edinburgh have seen the strongest jobs growth across

the country over the last 10 years , have seen the greatest

diversity in terms of the types of new jobs, and have

attracted around three quarters of all known inward

investment into Scotland. They have partly succeeded

as a result of this ability to draw on large pools of

skilled labour from around the city region, their better

connectivity and their world class education and research

bases. Finally, the Scottish economy is emerging from the

deepest since the recession since the end of the Second

World War. Early evidence in the local impacts of the

recession suggest that Kilmarnock has been hit hard.

Importantly the post recession period is one that is likely

to be characterised by lower levels of economic growth,

lower levels of public sector funding and less private

finance available in development markets.

W ere is t e Kilmarnock economy today?

Table 1.1: Kilmarnock: Key Economic Indicators

Kilmarnock* EastAyrs ire

Scotland

Employment Growt Total Jobs 2009 19,383 39,160 2,382.487 Jobs Growth 2003-2009

-755 -1,689 75,491

% Jobs Growth 2003-2009

-4% -4% 3%

Kilmarnock* EastAyrs ire

Scotland

Employment Growt- rounded

Total Jobs 2009 19,400 39,200 2,382.500 Jobs Growth 2003-2009

-800 -1,700 75,500

% Jobs Growth 2003-2009

-4% -4% 3%

Source: ABI & BRES

Labour MarketParticipation

Out-of-work benefitclaimants

19.3% 18.1% 14.9%

IB / ESA ClaimantRate 2010

9.4% 9.9% 8.7%

JSA Claimant Rate2011

6.4% 7.3% 4.5%

EastAyrs ire

Scotland

WorkforceQualification 2009NVQ Level 4+ 31% 38%NVQ Level 3 14% 16%NVQ Level 2 18% 14%NVQ Level 1 11% 10%Other Qualifications 8% 8%

No Qualifications 12% 9%% of working age population, Source: APS, Percentages do not add up to100 as t ose in Trade Apprentices ip are excluded


23/64



The 5 year period ahead of the recession of 2008/09 was

one of strongest economic and employment growth in the

Scottish economy. Total employment grew in Scotland by

over 113,000 (5%) ahead of the recession. However as the

table above shows, this period of strong growth by passed

East Ayrshire and Kilmarnock. Total employment fell by 1,400

and 200 respectively in what were relatively good years in

terms of economic performance. Data on the labour market

also shows that the Kilmarnock area has been hit hard by

both the economic transition of the last 30 years and the

impact of the recession. Almost one in every five people of

working age in the town is on an out of work benefit, and

the JSA claimant rate at 6.4% is around one and a half times

the Scottish average. Just under one in 10 people in the town

is on Incapacity Benefit or on the transition to Employment

Support Allowance.

The towns current economic base is not without some

strengths, but it is markedly different from that of the

country as a whole in terms of its overall structure.

Table 1.2 Employment s are 2009

Est noof jobs

Kilmarnock Scotland

Retail 2,450 14.4% 10.0%

Public administration& defence

2,300 13.4% 6.4%

Business

administration & support services

2,000 11.9% 7.5%

Health 1,800 10.8% 16.1%

Manufacturing 1,300 7.7% 7.9%

Education 1,250 7.2% 8.2%

Accommodation & food services

970 5.7% 7.3%

Arts, entertainment,recreation & otherservices

900 5.2% 4.3%

Construction 800 4.6% 5.5%

Professional, scientific& technical

800 4.6% 6.3%

Wholesale 550 3.1% 3.1%

Transport & storage 550 3.1% 4.3%

Financial & insurance 360 2.1% 3.9%

Information & communication

- 1.0% 2.4%

Property - 1.0% 1.1%

Over represented in

KilmarnockUnder represented inKilmarnock

The biggest employing private sector industries in the

town are retail (2,450 jobs), business administration

(2,000 jobs mostly in call centres, facilities management

and office cleaning and servicing); manufacturing (1,300

jobs including Diageo) and hotels, restaurants and

bars (970 jobs). With the exception of manufacturing,

employment in these sectors is generally lower paid and

is more likely to be part-time.

The public sector accounts for a very significant

proportion of employment with the three largest

sectors accounting for almost one in three (31.4%) of

all jobs. There are 2,300 people employed in public

administration jobs, 1,800 in health and 1,250 in

education.

Kilmarnock has low numbers of jobs and a lower share of

jobs in some of the higher value and / or faster growing

sectors of the economy. This includes Professional

and Technical Industries such as Architects, Lawyers

and Civil Engineers (only 4.6% of all jobs v Scottish

average of 5.6%); Finance and Insurance (only 2.1% of

all jobs v Scottish average of 3.9%); Information and

Communication technology (only 1.0% of all jobs v

Scottish average of 2.4%)

In summary the towns current employment base is weaker

than it might be, with Kilmarnock providing less of the broad

range of employment opportunities that stakeholders might

aspire to. In terms of the Urban Development Plan therefore,

helping to improve the economic resilience of the town is an

important challenge.


24/64


2.3 c clu i

This chapter sets out some of the issues, challenges and

opportunities facing Kilmarnock, drawn from discussions

with local people and organisations, and analysis of the built

and natural environment and economic context.

Clearly, there are a number of challenges that the town faces,

including:

anti-social behaviour, particularly in the vicinity of the

Burns Mall and the bus station, acting as a deterrent to

people shopping and visiting the town centre

break down the barrier effect of the one-way gyratory

traffic system, which is disorientating and severs

the town centre from surrounding facilities and

neighbourhoods

make the town centre more welcoming, particularly

when approached from the north

high incidence of dereliction and vacancy in certain

parts of the town centre

build a more positive relationship between the town

centre, the river and the parks, through a network of

paths and spaces

diversify the economic base of the town, to improve its

resilience

a lack of evening activities for adults and young people

in the town centre beyond pubs

a continuing need for different people and organisations

in the town public, private and voluntary sectors to

connect up and support each other

build confidence in the town and what it has to offer

In addressing these challenges, a number of particular

strengths and assets have emerged on which this Integrated

Urban Development Plan should build. These include:

a compact and convenient town centre, with most

facilities closely located shops, sports facilities,

railway station and so on

the inherent character of historic areas of the town

centre and adjoining neighbourhoods, such as John

Finnie Street and Bank Street, around the Dick Institute,

and Howard and Kay Parks

a reputation as a friendly town, with local businesses

and personal service

recent growth in population, as well as high quality

residential areas close to the town centre

good educational facilities, including higher and up to

further education

commitment amongst public, private and voluntary

sectors to see the town rise again


25/64



3 - vi i d t t

The previous chapter summarised the contemporary

contextual material drawn from a combination of the people

of Kilmarnock and the study team. Working from these

issues, challenges and opportunities we developed a vision

for Kilmarnock to set the direction for change. This was

To make Kilmarnock a more resilient town, turning itself around

over a period of 10 to 15 years through a range of transformative

actions, both small and large, across the spectrum of people,

place and economic activity. The aim is to make Kilmarnock one

of the most vibrant and productive towns in Scotland, positively

attracting people, investment and jobs, and where people will be

proud to live.

Kilmarnock needs to get fit to play a bigger socio-economic

role in the regional and national economy, which in the

current climate of uncertainty must be done initially by

focussing on a wide range of affordable improvements. The

key is to shift how the town is perceived both by locals and

by outsiders.

Six principles are advocated to guide and underpin the vision

and the various proposals:

1. Build up community & economic capacity reinforcingKilmarnocks role as a community hub and county-wide

service centre

2. Improve positive place attributes focused aroundmaking safer and more attractive public spaces that

enhance its identity positively

3. A familyfriendly feel to t e place enlivening thetown centre with activities, events and visitors from

near and far, for all ages, during the day and in the

evening

4. Greener, more localist culture exploiting parks,green links and reinforcing walking connections across

neighbourhoods

5. Renewed focus on learning and enterprise supporting primary, secondary, further and higher

view sout west along Bank Street - one of t e towns assets


26/64


education as well as other forms of learning for all ages,

and offering more proactive support for existing and

small-scale private and social enterprise

6. Confident and proud with a positive attitude tosupport local providers, services and attractions

In terms of physical and spatial change, the kind of place

that this vision and principles seek to generate is a compact

town with a condensed core. New development should be

concentrated primarily within the existing built-up area in

the next 5 to 10 years.

The vision and principles will not be achieved exclusively

through this Integrated Urban Development Plan. This needs

to be carefully linked with other initiatives that Make it

Kilmarnock are undertaking in parallel with this plan, such

as a branding and marketing strategy, which are also of

fundamental importance in delivering the vision.

t te ic pp c

The strategy for Kilmarnocks IUDP comprises a series of elements that seek to help re-balance and turn the townaround. These comprise

an economic strategy component, that seeks to help

re-position Kilmarnock in the medium term, a spatial strategy dimension, about how the shape

emphasis should change to meet future needs, and to

shape future investment a movement and place strategy thread, around an

alternative to the ring road/gyratory constraint on

the towns identity and functioning

Key elements informing the strategic approach are:

1 There should be a progressive series of inter-related

actions, building on recent investment, for instance

in the Bank Street area, and as proposed at the Diageo

site.

2 The place need to be physically (and visually)

transformed if it is to reposition itself whether for

business, and for residents, or for visitors.

3 The improvements should be tailored to the unique

nature of Kilmarnock, rather than inappropriate or

place-less clone town solutions or direct replicas of

out-of-town centres.

4 Addressing movement, from arrival and orientation,

to quality and legibility of routes, is important for a

range of users, including visitors, shoppers, the old

and the young.

5 There should be a mix of implementation measures,

combining smaller easier steps with larger more

transformational projects to be implemented in

phases over time

6 Crucially there needs to be a clear focus on addressing

the needs in and around the town centre, including a

consolidation and densification around the core, to

build investment, scale, intensity and use. This means

reducing all the external edge of town investment in

retail and residential investment that is not already

committed.

7 A local-firs t approach should be used to build strength

from within, drawing support for and from, local

employment base, local shops and services, and public

agencies. This needs to be complemented by a more

outward looking inward investment and strategic

customer approach.

8 A wider city-region perspective is also needed to

optimise opportunities from Kilmarnocks growing

relationship with Glasgow and the surrounding area,

in terms of transport, services, residential catchment

9 each physical intervention should support community


27/64



and economic objectives, while economic initiatives

should enhance, rather than detract from the quality

of the town. Urban design and placemaking need to be

at the heart of the philosophy of place transformation.

There are three inter-related strategy elements as follows:

1 p ti l t te

The direction of the spatial strategy has been developed from

the analysis of the town centre in the context of the rest of

Kilmarnock. There is a need for the strategy to bring about:

physical integration of the centre with other parts of the

town clearer relations between residential areas and the town

centre a broadening of the role of the town centre so that is

predicated not only on retail but also on a much broader

collection of activities which include administration,

leisure, residential, employment , social enterprise and

community and cultural uses a series of placemaking initiatives which emphasis

the themes above but which also treat streets as social

spaces rather than purely visual compositions the enabling and promotion of development

opportunities in the short, medium and longer term

which help to rebuild the town centres relationship

with the rest of the town the creation of a blue and green network which can tie

the together and act as a catalyst for new development

in the town centre

2 m veme t d pl ce t te

The movement and place strategy seeks to ameliorate the

negative aspects of the one-way system which dominates

the town centre. A consistent set of placemaking principles

could transform the whole inner ring-road from an

impenetrable highway boundary, to one where the qualities

of the historic centre merge seamlessly with the area outside

the ring road.

A phased approach starting with tackling the one-way

restriction on John Finnie Street would help prepare the

ground for wider changes in the longer term. The re-design

of the system would be based on a series of simple measures

which would include:

re-instating the two-way traffic flows, taking precedent

from recent award-winning market town enhancements

such as Ashford in Kent and like Ashford, the key measure

would involve untangling the one-way system, and

returning the key circulating streets to two-way, low-

speed flow creating a legible, simplified streetscape, unifying the

character of the public realm, and giving a stronger

focus and sense of place creating a low-speed traffic environment, enabling a

sequence of major and minor place-making schemes

to provide clear and legible links to Kilmarnocks retail

centre

3 ec mic t te

The approach to addressing the economic dimension of

the strategy is of a series of progressive measures aimed at

turning the place around for investors, employers and also

visitors. No one project addresses all the issues. Rather a

progressive sequence, as illustrated in this diagram, linked

to the spatial and transport improvements, is what is

proposed.

Kilmarnock is not fundamentally broken , yet the re-view of the economic and social drivers make it clear

that it has been losing ground economically for the last


28/64


20 or so years. Turning it round is similarly going to be

a longer term process. But the town has the ability, the

desire and the commitment to influence its own eco-

nomic future

We need to develop a progressive, multi-prongedapproac to improving t e towns competitiveness -there are no silver bullets in terms of turning round the

towns economy. Competition for inward investment

is tough and the experience of other places in Scotland

show there are risks in short term fixes. We propose a

range of approaches, shifting the balance of effort and

priority weightings over time.

T e starting point is to build on existing economicassets and businesses, as t ey are already ere .Diageo may be going but there are lots of businesses

who remain and who are passionate about the town. A

key focus should be on helping existing businesses to

grow and develop and on encouraging small businesses

to start or relocate here. In particular the town should

look to build on existing strengths in terms of business

services and leisure, and maximise the contribution that

the College can make to supporting students to open

businesses.

T ere is a need to optimise t e benefits of anyinvestment t at is taking place . For instance, the nextfew years are likely to see significant investment in the

town in the form of the development of the new College

campus and the wider redevelopment of the former

Diageo site. The Council is also looking to consolidate its

presence and build upon its property assets in the town

centre. It will be important to use these investment as

levers that support and integrate new development

opportunities for the town, including retail, local

services, and other physical improvements.

It will be crucial to look beyond t e town, towardst e wider city region. Kilmarnock is not a closedsystem, and its connectivity to Glasgow is good,

having improved drastically over the past few years.

Capitalising on the towns proximity to Glasgow should

be a key feature of any strategy to improve economic

resilience. This could include encouraging families

and people who work in Glasgow to come and live in

Kilmarnock as well as giving Kilmarnock residents the

skills to access jobs in the city as it continues to grow.

Aspirations are important drivers, but t ey ave tobe rooted in realism. The workshops highlighted manypotential opportunities in growth industries including

tourism, renewable energy, and financial services.

These are important and achievable aspirations in

due course. The strategy needs to recognise in a wider

Scottish context, within which Kilmarnock is not

the only place thinking about these opportunities.

Furthermore the town does not have a recent track

record of success in attracting high growth industries.

It will take time to build up knowledge of these sectors

and put in place the conditions that might attract more

businesses in these sectors to the town. There may be

merit in focusing on one or two of these sectors at the

outset, rather than several.

T e importance of place making and attractiveness. Successful places over the longer term are those which

are appealing to residents, investors, visitors. Kilmar-

nock has many excellent characteristics, but much has

been identified that could improve the place offer. From

an economic development point of view, the place mak-

ing interventions suggested elsewhere in the Urban De-


29/64



town centre strategy and proposals


30/64


velopment Plan are not add-ons to the economic ambi-

tions of the town nor are they instead-ofs. Rather they

are a central and integral part of the approach to build-

ing the attractiveness of Kilmarnock to locals, investors

and visitors.

It is the interlinkage of these three strategic strands that

gives the Plan its strength and coherence.

The next section contains the proposals for achieving this

overall vision: the range of improvements, from the small and

affordable to a limited number of bigger ticket items, which

will deliver the transformational change that is required for

the town to get fitter for its future purpose.


31/64



4 - pl p p

The proposals are designed to deliver the vision and

principles outlined in the previous chapter, and to respond

to the issues, challenges and opportunities which emerged

during consultation. These proposed improvements are,

therefore, a direct response to the issues and aspirations of

the wide range of people of Kilmarnock who contributed to

this study.

The proposals are grouped into three scale categories,

each of which contains a mix of physical/spatial proposals

and supporting economic or social actions. There are big

interventions of a transformational nature, important assets

to safeguard and exploit, and joining up projects and actions.

1. BIG INTERVENTIONS

2. SAFEGUARDING ThE ASSETS

3. JOINING IT TOGEThER

Delivery and implementation proposals have also been

incorporated into these three groups, rather than the

conventional approach of seeing them as separate. This is

because the proposals for delivering the Integrated Urban

Development Plan are, in reality, integral to its success.

C te 1 P ect : t e bi i te ve ti

Category 1 contains the following proposals:

1.1 A shift in planning policy to broaden central area uses

1.2 A series of one-way system interventions to change the

culture of the town as a user-friendly destination

1.3 Top of the Town - a revised road system and the release of

sites for new development

1.4 The Diageo site

1.5 Making the most of the College Campus development

1.6 Developing role for the Make it Kilmarnock Strategic

Advisory Board

1.7 Behavioural issues in/around bus station and Burns Mall

1.8 Develop a clear economic strategy for Kilmarnock

t e railway viaduct at t e top of t e town - a popular landmark


32/64


1.1 A s ift in planning policy to broaden central area uses to include:

specialist retail and local services

cafes, pubs, restaurants

professional + administrative suites

health + community, therapies + beauty

creative, cultural, engineering, brewing

Kilmarnock College activities + spin-offs

affordable premises for start-ups + downsizing private +

social enterprises

drama, music, entertainment, comedy, nightclubs

pioneer some low cost, destinational activity

A vibrant mix of uses will not only add to the variety,

vitality and a utility beyond core working hours, but will

also broaden the scope for occupiers to express interest

in properties, whether currently vacant or as potential

developments

1.2 A series of one-way system interventions John

Finnie St, Palace Theatre and the gateway to town centre

north of the viaduct - to change the culture of the town as a

user-friendly destination.

A phased approach starting with tackling the one-way

restriction on John Finnie Street would help prepare the

ground for wider changes in the longer term. The re-design

of John Finnie Street could be based on a series of simple

measures that could then be applied elsewhere. These would

include:

Re-instating the two-way traffic flows, taking precedent

from recent award-winning market town enhancements

such as Ashford in Kent. Like Ashford, the key measure

would involve untangling the one-way system, and

returning the key circulating streets to two-way, low-

speed flow. This would allow for street enhancements to

focus on this key retail street first. Creating a legible, simplified streetscape, unifying the

character of the public realm, and giving a stronger

focus and sense of place. Creating a low-speed traffic environment, enabling a

sequence of major and minor place-making schemes

to provide clear and legible links to Kilmarnocks retail

centre.

These would also enable the creation of:

Station Square involving the creation of a coherent

space to provide a welcoming and lively entry point to

the town. The new square would help establish the link

between the Station, John Finnie Street and the Town

Centre. Sheriff Court Corner at the intersection of John Finnie

Street with St Marnock Street marks an important

change of scale on the southern entry to Kilmarnock.

The introduction of the two-way system will require

the removal of redundant traffic signals, markings and

traffic islands, allowing a simple place to be created.

mixed use property on Jo n Finnie Street


33/64



Links to the Town Centre with all the intersections of

John Finnie Street treated as critical focal points. These

crossroads are vital in reconnecting to the historic

assets of Bank Street and the Town Centre.

In addition to the above major spaces, we would recommend

a programme to improve the character and function of

smaller intersections, particularly those serving a role as

entry points into the town centre. These would include:

Jo n Finnie Street - existing

Jo n Finnie Street - proposed


34/64


The intersection of the A735 (Titchfield Street) with King

Street which serves as an important pedestrian link to

the retail centre of the town. The removal of pedestrian

barriers and the extension of the treatment of the

pedestrianised area across the junction will dramatically

improve the pedestrian environment, retaining the

required traffic capacity. Howard Park Place - the simplification of the traffic

layout provides an opportunity to end the axis of

John Finnie Street with the gate of the park. This

arrangement will also create a simple entry space for

traffic coming from south.

Design principles

All changes to road design and shared surfaces will be

undertaken with input from disabled and public transport

groups, and will build on best practice elsewhere.

Our recommendations for John Finnie Street build on a

combination of simple measures aimed at creating a legible,

low-speed traffic environment that responds to the existing

context and morphology of the street, and could be extended

to the rest of the one-way loop around the centre, once

converted to two-way.

A design speed (as distinct from a formal speed limit) of

around 18 mph would provide the starting point, informing

the dimensions, geometry, choice of materials and detailing

of the streetscape.

As a general principle, we would seek to establish a

carriageway width of 6 metres. This allows for two-way flows

of buses and other large vehicles. We would recommend

that the visual width (the drivers perception of carriageway

widths) should be further reduced through a kerb detail that

extends the footway material into the carriageway.

The extension to John Finnie Street of the Restricted Parking

Zone already established in Bank Street would clarify

use of precious on-street space. Any on-street short-term

parking or loading bays would be defined in a distinctive

material from that of the carriageway to maintain consistent

visual widths. No yellow lines or further signs would be

required within the streets, avoiding the standard highway

characteristics common to many UK public spaces.

We would also recommend the removal of all centre lines and

Jo n Finnie Street - proposals


35/64



stop lines. These are unnecessary in low-speed streets, and

their absence helps create such shared space environments.

Similarly, the use of highway signs, signals and barriers

should be kept to an absolute minimum.

The slow speed environment would also allow more informal

pedestrian crossings. Courtesy crossings could be located

at regular intervals along the street, giving the opportunityhope Park entrance to town centre - proposed

hope Park entrance to town centre - existing


36/64


of interrupting the long row of parked vehicles and

introducing trees and street furniture (i.e. cycle stands).

The contrast between the characteristics of surrounding

highways and the distinctive streetscapes of John Finnie

Street would be maximised through choice of materials

and the use of lighting. Street lighting is mostly mounted

on buildings, and it could be further integrated with theKing Street/Titc field Street - proposed

King Street/Titc field Street - existing


37/64



architecture to add animation to the buildings and shop

fronts.

The selection of paving materials will be determined by

budget, but a simple, robust streetscape vocabulary can

be created through careful selection of asphalts, applied

finishes and the selection of an appropriate local brick or

setts to define the transitions around the key spaces.St Marnock Street/Jo n Finnie Street - proposed

St Marnock Street/Jo n Finnie Street - existing


38/64


Simplify the arrangements for the key intersections, with

the use of compact low-speed high-capacity junctions would

enhance the public realm, reducing the barrier effect of a

busy highway space. High capacity signal junctions could

be replaced by roundabouts with reduced approach widths

and tight turning radii, to encourage low vehicular speeds

and retain high urban design standards (as successfully

implemented in Mainland Europe).

Jo n Finnie Street

The two-lane one-way road system, where pedestrians rely

on signal-controlled crossings to negotiate the fast moving

traffic, generates excessive street clutter that erodes the

urban quality of John Finnie Street. The fine Victorian

buildings disappear from view, and key connections are lost.

We would recommend simplifying the street layout

reintroducing a two-way traffic movement. The carriageway

would be narrowed to 6 metres. Parking could be retained

and interspersed by a few carefully located trees that could

help reinforce the sense of place. Courtesy crossings would

be located at regular intervals to enhance the numerous

pedestrian desire lines.

Station Square

The regeneration of the space surrounding the station

underpins the re-design of John Finnie Street. At present the

visitor arriving by train is welcomed by a bleak, incoherent

space lacking definition and dominated by signals. The

quality of the shops and business suffer from the lack of

opportunities for pedestrians to spend time in this area.

Our initial recommendation would include a carefully

designed roundabout that would create an appropriate

forecourt to the station. A paving language of contrasting

materials / textures / tones would define the carriageway

and footway areas.

S eriff Court Corner

At present the signal-controlled junction of John Finnie

Street, Portland Road, Dundonald Road and St Marnock

Street presents a forbidding barrier to the town centre, and

a poor arrival point into John Finnie Street, dominated by

barriers, signals and all the street signs associated with the

one-way system.

A simple informal junction would cope with likely traffic

volumes and reduce the build-up of stationary queues along

St Marnock Street. We would recommend a careful detailing

of the transition of materials. The selection and inclusion of

characteristic street lighting would help define the identity

of the new space and establish a key transition point into

John Finnie Street.

howard Park Place

The entrance to Howard Park is aligned with John Finnie

Street and provides the opportunity to define the edge this

axis at this side of town.

Our sketch design recommendations build on the principles

of place-making to create a simple, legible relationship

between the park and the street. The design would make

use of surface treatments to create a clear forecourt to the

park, with some distinctive lighting and planting to be

incorporated into the newly paved area. It allows for the full

frontage of the park to become the entry point to the town

centre, emphasising the transition from the A759 to the

slow-speed context of the town centre, where the use of any

centre line or other road markings should be avoided.

1.3 Top of t e Town proposals

Proposals for the top of the town would seek to change the

current perception of this area as a series of car parks into

an elegant urban space with a revised road system and


39/64



the release of sites for new development. The proposals

are based on the assumption that the one-way system

will evolve into a two-way system so for those arriving

in Kilmarnock from the north, this area would be their

first experience of the town centre and Portland Street /

Wellington Street would be the new point of entry.

The core idea of the top of the town proposal is to create

a new urban space surrounded on three sides by new

development which would help to animate the space. The

development proposals for the area are reasonably modest

given current market conditions but it is considered likely

that the area would be able to sustain:

a budget hotel a cafe/restaurant potentially associated with the bus

station start-up office accommodation affordable and/or sheltered housing accommodation

The current car park at Portland Street/Green Street would

remain in use as a car park but would take on the character

of an urban square with a programme of events including

farmers markets and other attractions.

Two options have been developed for this proposal including

the possibility of redeveloping the Clydesdale Bank Building.

1.4 Proposals for Diageo site wit /wit out College

At the time of writing, the proposed relocation of Kilmarnock

College to the Diageo site was well advanced. This proposal

has therefore been included as the lead proposal in this

report, although alternative proposals for the Diageo site

without the College were also considered.

Relocation of the College would only utilise a portion of the

Diageo site towards the south. For the remainder of the

site, it is important to make sure uses in their site have an

ensure that the urban structure that connects out to the

north west, and also provides uses that are complement

rather than compete directly with town centre, as shown

on accompanying plan which depicts current proposals.

Importantly, the College should not become too self-

contained, but is seen to have a physical presence that

links well to the town centre in terms of physical presence,

activities, connections and movement of people.

development proposal A for t e top of t e town development proposal B for t e top of t e town


40/64


1.5 Making t e most of t e College CampusDevelopment The College Campus is a potentiallyimportant lever in supporting and integrating new

development into the north of the town. It is likely to be

one of the single biggest physical investments in the town

over the next few years. Explicit consideration should be

given to developing mechanisms that directly connect local

companies and local people - with the benefits expected

from new development is not just about engaging local firms

and workers in the construction process (though this can

be important) but about conn local businesses into supply

chains, and local people with jobs that might emerge in

Indicative Mixed Use Masterplan Options

D i a g e o

M a s

t e r p

l a n

H i l l S t r e e

t K i l m a r n o c

k

Indicative Option 1

Hotel

Residential

Care Home

Indicative Option 2

Residential

Care HomeBusiness

Further Education CollegeBusiness

Further Education College

the once developments are operational. The employment

brokerage model that was operated at Silverburn by Glasgow

South West Regeneration Agency is a good example.

1.6 T e present Make it Kilmarnock Board will have akey role in supporting the expansion of the town centre and

wider town. This is important to continue momentum from

current position and aspiration for improvement.

Continuing to build Kilmarnocks civic and institutional

capacity is key. The closure of Diageo has been a major

indicative proposals for t e Diageo site by James Barr and BDP


41/64



spur to exploring the wider economic forces, and trends

that have impacted on the town and have resulted

in this study. However it will be important to follow

through on this over the next 10 years. There will be

a better chance of improving the towns economic

fortunes if we capitalise on the interest that has been

shown by local people, business leaders and politicians

throughout this study. This group should act as a

steering group for the strategy and play a key role

structuring proposals for t e Diageo site

in developing the branding strategy for Kilmarnock,

and representing the towns interests to the Scottish

Government and other national interests. (point 4)

1.7 Focus on be avioural issues in/around bus station+ Burns Mal l including methadone dispensing. This iscritically important to secure the actual and perceived

transformation required if the town centre is to be a safe

and convivial place for users of all ages both in terms

of perception and reality. Local residents, from children

through to adults, are deterred from coming into the

town centre because of the atmosphere created by the

concentration of drug users who spend time around the bus

station and Burns Mall. Businesses believe that same issue is

having a negative impact on their trade.

The ultimate solution clearly involves reducing the demand

for methadone dispensing, a goal to which the Alcohol and

Drugs Partnership are working towards. In the meantime,

the existing efforts of community planning partners

(including the police, health authority and local authority)

to manage the methadone dispensing regime and related

behavioural issues should be prioritised.

1.8 Developing a clear economic strategy for Kilmarnock The report has highlighted the major changesthat have taken place in the national and local economy, and

the increased competition between places for investment

and jobs. We believe there is a strong case for developing a

clear economic strategy for East Ayrshire and in particular

Kilmarnock as its main town. A key aim of this strategy

would be to identify the potential growth sectors of the

future and what the town needs to do to secure them in

terms of skills, property and business support interventions.

It will be an essential bedrock for the development of

the branding and visioning strategy and would include

dimensions such as nurturing the core entrepreneurial,

customer-oriented spirit towards private/social enterprise


42/64


partners with the aim of working in collaboration. it is

envisaged that the strategy would be integrated within the

Councils existing Community Plan

CaTEgory 2 ProjECTs: saFEgUarDIng ThEassETs

2.1 blue-green network

This proposal seeks to integrate the Kilmarnock Water,

residential neighbourhoods surrounding the town centre,

Howard Park and Kay Park as well as the Core Path network

and other footpath systems with the town centre. The

proposal is based on the idea that the Kilmarnock Water is

a considerably underused resource and one of the hidden

gems of Kilmarnock. The river could become an important

new focal point in the town centre and its improvement and

promotion could act as a catalyst for new development and

building conversions along Sandbed Street and to the rear of

Bank Street.

At the same time, a blue-green network of improved linkages

across the town could complement the major works involved

in converting the one-way system gyratory into a two-way

system. In this way, pedestrian networks could be linked

to new placemaking initiatives and proposals associated

with shared surfaces and pedestrian priority environments.

In turn, these placemaking initiatives could link to new

development proposals or building conversions i

Documents

Make It Kilmarnock Report November 2011