THE final piece of the financial jigsaw to develop the £3million Ardrossan Quayside project has been provided by Magnox.

A £375,000 award was this week secured to help push forward the creation of an office and leisure complex overlooking the marina.

The money has been provided from the Magnox Socio-Economic Scheme, funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and EnergySolutions.

The project is one of a suite of projects being developed by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company to regenerate Ardrossan.

The high quality, 2,000 sq m three-storey building will house offices on the upper two levels, with the ground floor also flexible for a restaurant, retail or leisure use.

An attractive public space will be created between the buildings and the quayside, as well as user car parking.

Omar Elmi, Commercial Director for Irvine Bay Regeneration Company said: “We are delighted and extremely grateful for the £375K received from Hunterston ‘A’, through. the Magnox Socio-Economic Fund, which is supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).” The £3M project is being funded through a number of grants won by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company: - £1.8m from the Scottish Government’s Capital Regeneration Fund; - £463,000 from the European Regional Development Fund; - £375,000 from the Nuclear Decommissioning Agency £375k; - £196,000 from HUB SouthWest.

Mark Stubbs, Hunterston A Site Director said: “This project will hopefully attract new businesses into Ardrossan as the offices, when fully occupied, expect to deliver 110 FTE jobs and £2.5M for the local economy.

“Magnox is committed to mitigating the impact of decommissioning on the communities in which we operate through socio-economic support.

When the site closes and enters into care and maintenance in 2022, we need to ensure alternative jobs are being created within communities closest to the Hunterston ‘A’ site.“ Work began on the quayside site in July and the project is programmed to be completed by June 2015.

Jon Philips, NDA Communications and Stakeholder Relations Director said: “The NDA is proud to support this project which will contribute positively to the North Ayrshire economy.

“This £375K award sends a clear message of our ongoing support to the local economy, and with the potential to support similar future projects, demonstrates the NDA commitment to leave a positive and lasting economic legacy in North Ayrshire when Hunterston ‘A’ enters care and maintenance.”