MORE exciting designs for the Millport Coastal Flood Defence Scheme have been released as the community consultation phase nears its conclusion.

North Ayrshire Council is currently applying for a Marine Licence and a Harbour Revision Order, before a competitive tendering process for the work will open.

Construction of the scheme is set to start in the autumn of next year and is predicted to be completed late in 2023.

Feedback from residents has helped to shape the designs further before they are approved and submitted.

This includes improved access to the beaches and foreshore, new coastal protection structures, the resurfacing of the promenade and flood walls to incorporate timber benches with arm rests.

Changes have also been made to the design proposals around the Cross House, which will involve two tiers of low flood wall instead of the single higher wall as proposed early in the consultation.

The idea of raising the grass area along Kelburn Street has also been altered in favour of a short section of flood wall.

Designs for the major installation of stepped revetments at Crichton Street and the Cross House have also been refined.

Council officers say that the new plans will “stitch seamlessly into the existing rock outcrops on the foreshore”.

The variation in size and shape of the steps across the revetment will provide seating opportunities, and will improve appearance compared to more traditional revetments.

Currently a total of 37 benches are being proposed along the seafront, which will also include recessed areas to allow wheelchair users to park next to benches.

Council officers say that all efforts will be taken to minimise the impact of the construction works on the surrounding environment, including at the Kames Bay site of special scientific interest.

They say that an otter protection plan will be prepared, and mitigation measures will be in place to avoid disturbing seals that live on the Eileans.

A council spokesperson said: “We will hold a competitive procurement tender process to appoint a contracting civil engineering company to construct the scheme.

“A specialist marine construction contractor will be required, which has experience of undertaking construction work of a similar type and scale.

“Construction work offshore and on the foreshore is more likely to be affected by bad weather, so will need to be carried out between the spring and the autumn.

“The timing of the offshore works will also need to account for sensitive breeding seasons for seals and birds, and for the summer period when people may be bathing in the sea.

“We will try to limit the works that are undertaken in the busier parts of the town during the summer months, when there are most visitors.

“The construction work is currently expected to last for about 18 months, so the scheme should be completed by the end of 2023.”

For more information about the Millport Coastal FPS go to www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/MillportFPS.