A SITE that was set to home a new garden centre on the outskirts of Largs has gone on the market.

Land owner Billy Kirkwood had been set to work on the project with Rowan Tree and Haylie Stores businessman David Castelvecchi, but this now appears to have been shelved.

The greenbelt site, which is adjacent to Fairlie Bowling Club, has been put up with an asking price of offers over £295,000 - or may be available for lease.

The original plan for the site had to be reduced in scale to receive planning permission for a garden centre with restaurant and cafe, but Mr Castevecchi has now withdrawn from the project.

Property agents DM Hall have described the development as being at a 'prime roadside position to the north of Fairlie' and a high amenity location close to Largs Yacht Haven, with 10,000 passing cars daily.

Mr Kirkwood, who owns RDK Construction, told the News that he would still be keen to pursue the garden centre idea and believes the site has plenty of potential.

He said: "I am keen to press ahead as clearly it has commercial opportunities, whether that is a garden centre, restaurant, or cafe, or small retail units. There are various options going forward.

"It is available for purchase or for lease.

"It has good access with the A78 and parking facilities so there is the option of a decent shop or some smaller stores."

Mr Kirkwood shot down rumours that the site could be used for housing.

He added: "With opportunities for sale or for lease, there is lots of flexibility and the main priority is to get an end operator to help get the site up and running as a business venture, not housing."

It is just over a year since North Ayrshire Council gave the green light to the development, six months after the first application was refused. It was hoped that the venture would bring up to 30 jobs to the area.