A NEW platform building for Troon's railway station has been given the green light by planners after the old one was destroyed in a devastating fire.

Network Rail says it hopes to get the new building on the station's northbound platform up and running for next year’s Open golf tournament, which will be held at Royal Troon.

The plans, approved under delegated powers by South Ayrshire Council officials on Friday, stay true to the design of the original Victorian exterior, while providing a more modern internal layout.

The B-listed station building was gutted by fire on July 16, 2021, and had to be demolished for safety reasons.

After the fire, Network Rail had found the building had "sustained significant and systemic damage, whereby it posed a direct danger to the public and steel supports of the high voltage overhead lines".

A week passed before trains could safely stop at the station.

Several options were put forward for a new platform building, with more than 150 people attending an event in August 2022 to view potential designs, and a further final design event held this January.

In their planning application, Network Rail stated: “Externally, the façade has been arranged to accommodate the internal layout whilst retaining all the key features of the original design.

“The roof will be finished in a Welsh slate, a blue slate often accepted in listed buildings on the Scottish railway.

“Community engagement has been an important part of the process and the events carried out have been positive with a clear message on the preferred option.”

Network Rail added that the application was part of its “commitment to have the works completed prior to the Open in 2024 so that the facilities are ready for the anticipated large influx of visitors travelling to Troon by train”.

In a report, planners stated that Network Rail’s application "documents the full extent of the damage caused by the fire, and provides full and reasoned justification for the removal of the fire damaged building".

The plan includes the replacement of the destroyed building as well as the reinstatement of the canopy covering the rest of the northbound platform.

It continues: “It is noted from the submitted plans that, externally, this generally replicates the design, massing, scale and finishes of the fire damaged building removed from site, with only minor changes.

“As such, there are no concerns arising from the external appearance of the replacement building.

“Internally, the layout of the building is much changed in order to meet with the operational needs of the railway operator whilst meeting with accessibility requirements and modern building regulations.”

The application was approved by officers using delegated powers, under the condition that work starts within three years.