Irvine was officially designated as a "New Town" in 1966, the fifth and last to be developed in Scotland and the only 'new town' to be located on the coast. This section will detail some of the developments that took place during this time, and those that did not take place at all.
Irvine Harbour (1970?) - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken by George McMaster. In the distance (centre to left) are the Dalry Hills. To the right of the photo are the buildings which belonged to Ayrshire Metal Products (manufacturers of cold rolled steel). These structures (demolished in the first years of the 21st Century) included remnants of the former Irvine and Ayrshire Dockyards. Ships were built in Irvine from the medieval era until 1936.
67 and 71 NEW TOWN PLANS - by Crawford Fulton
This time we are going to have a wee look at the 'thinking' behind the shape of the whole new town. The first plan (1967) showed the locations of various land uses and the proposed road network; as you can see from the photo, it also showed the creation of a new town centre, somewhere to the south of Stanecastle. The 1971 plan moved the town centre to an area due west of Irvine's historic Cross. This necessitated: the demolition of a 400 year old bridge; the complete destruction of the heart of Fullarton (a separate community until the late 19th Century); the devastation of most of Waterside, a beautiful, tranquil, part of the town; the creation of ugly settings for three of the town's churches (Trinity, Wilson Fullarton and Fullarton); the visual cutting off of the town centre from the Harbouside; and the creation of a very poor impression of the Royal Burgh from the railway station. I could produce a very long list of other adverse consequences which flowed from this 1971 plan revision. To sum up this 1971 Masterplan in two words: 'completely nuts'.
It has been said that the relocation of the town centre was due to pressure the town's traders. I find it hard to believe that the IDC ever listened to anyone's objections to anything.
Construction Of The New Road And Bridge (1972) - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken by George McMaster. We are looking to the south west from Irvine Moor towards the twin coffer dams, in which the piers of the bridge of the Northern Approach Road are being constructed (the shuttering, into which concrete is due to be poured, is seen in the western coffer dam). To the top left is Waterside, with the buildings belonging to Ayrshire Metal Products beyond. To the top right of the image is the Ardeer Peninsula.
01 Aerial Fullarton And Irvine - by Crawford Fulton
This photo was taken from George McMaster's Collection.
Irvine Town Centre North 1970 - by Crawford Fulton