Controversial designs for the new Largs promenade have been dropped, according to an independent council candidate standing for North Ayrshire Council.
Ian Murdoch took to various social media platforms including the Largs News Facebook page, and stated: “It would appear that common sense and public opinion have won on the proposed Prom improvements. It looks like Gallowgate Square will be redeveloped and the prom will be resurfaced from the Pier, hopefully as far as the Lifeboat Station. I will be delighted if this is the final decision.”
The Largs and Millport News asked North Ayrshire Council whether the ambitious proposals had been dropped.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “Our design team and council officers are reviewing the feedback received at our recent consultation event in Largs and this is being considered in the next stage of the design development.
“Proposals for our preferred approach will be presented to a Locality Planning Partnership meeting in the near future and we also hope to update the public of our plans in the coming weeks.”
The next Locality Planning partnership meeting won’t be taking place until June, after the North Ayrshire Council elections.
A range of strong views were expressed concerning the new seafront promenade proposals at last month’s consultation in Largs.
The price tag of the development is £590,000, which is set be designed by TGP Landscape Architects. 
Others have also voiced deep concerns about the project including councillor Tom Marshall who stated that he believed the money should have been spent on a first class Gallowgate Square with the remainder on essential prom repairs, while the Largs BID business group also expressed doubts over the designs, saying: “too much is trying to be achieved with a small amount of money”.
The funds were due to be spent on resurfacing specific areas of the prom as identified in the ‘Largs Masterplan’, which was presented to councillors last year, providing a new innovative shelter at Aubery, with relaxing areas along the prom for young and old alike. New planter areas will provide a break between the seafront car park and the promenade.
Artist James Watt visited the ‘News’ office and was very critical of the proposed designs, saying: “I think the designs would make Largs a laughing stock - what is the point in these goalposts designs along the prom. You could go up the amenity site and get more artistic arrangements of scrap metal.”
“The shelter at Aubery that is there goes back 100 years, and is well designed because it has four sides, and you can always sit on the sheltered side away from the wind and the rain.” 
Critics state the proposed shell design makes it look like Sydney Opera House.