The Council also approved the redevelopment of Somerset Park to create 155 Flats. The Flats and houses at both sites are an essential element to provide the enabling funding for the first phase of the stadium development.
In both cases the grant of planning consents for the schemes are conditional upon legal planning agreements being formalised to ensure that the Affordable Housing provision of 65 units across the sites are provided and that the new stadium is operational before redevelopment of Somerset Park commences.
Lachlan Cameron, Managing Director of Ayr United Football & Athletic Club Limited said, "This morning the Club and our supporters took a major step forward to realising modern purpose built 21st Century facilities at our new home at Heathfield".
The Council praised the amount of detailed work and submissions that were undertaken by the Development Consultants and Project Managers, Rockwood as well as various consultants engaged by Barratt West of Scotland.
The Chairman went on to say that "it was extremely pleasing that the Councillors at this mornings meeting commended the hard work of the Planning Officers as well as that of the Applicants and in particular made reference to the careful design of the affordable housing to ensure that it is fully integrated into the proposed housing developments.
The approval of these applications bring us to the start of our new beginning. The club can progress from here and be a competitive force. We look forward to agreeing the relevant planning agreements with the Council in early course. Until these are resolved we are unable to confirm a timetable for the stadium but continue to strive to open Phase 1 in time for the 09/10 centenary season."
The announcement today is a majot landmark in Ayr United's push to reclaim their place in the top flight of Scottish Football.