Ayr receive planning permission

Ayr racecourse has been granted outline planning permission by the Scottish Executive for its £35m redevelopment.

The plan, which includes a new entrance, a multiplex cinema, casino, new grandstand, racing museum and 400 houses was originally approved by South Ayrshire Council in February 2005 but had been subject to a public inquiry last November.

However, the Scottish Executive informed the owners of Ayr, Alan Macdonald and Richard Johnstone, that they had granted planning permission and it is likely work will start after the totesport Ayr Gold Cup meeting in September.

Macdonald, who is also chairman of Ayr, said: “This is a great day not only for everyone here at Ayr racecourse but for the whole of Scottish Racing.

“It means we are now in a position to give the people of Ayrshire and Scotland a racecourse they can be truly proud of and put Ayr right at the forefront of British racing.”