A NEW soft play centre is set to come to Largs in a derelict town centre bar after being given the green light.
We previously reported that proposals were lodged by Rebecchi Architectural on behalf of Leanna McCarthy to North Ayrshire Council to turn a vacant storefront at 144 Main Street into a children's soft play.
The News reported in September that the former public house at The Sheiling was set to be revived after new tenants were found.
The pub closed in the mid-2010s and despite efforts to revive it, the site has been lying empty for several years.
It is intended that the soft play would be open seven days a week between 8.30am and 5.45pm.
The applicants said the project would "bring numerous jobs" to the town if given the green light.
READ MORE: Old Largs public house could be turned into soft play centre
They say the development is aimed at locals rather than the tourism market.
In a report of the handling of the case, a council official said: "The development would result in an empty ground floor commercial unit being reoccupied by a commercial unit of a different use class.
"It is, therefore, considered that the proposal would contribute to the 'town centre first' approach, and given its proximity to the town centre area, it is not considered it would have a detrimental impact on Largs town centre.
"It is considered that the amenity impacts associated with this use would be less imposing on nearby residential properties than the current lawful use as a public house."
The new facility will be the first soft play centre in Largs since the closure some years ago of the facility at Vikingar! on the seafront.
Members of Largs Community Council recently backed plans for the new business in their last meeting last month, but councillors raised concerns over the lack of parking in the vicinity of the site.
The council officer who dealt with the case added: "The application site does not have any existing parking arrangements, nor have any been proposed. However, given the location of the application site, on the edge of Largs town centre, the proposal would be easily accessible.
"The application site would be well served by public transport with a bus stop and train station located within walking distance of the site, providing travel within the local area.
"Furthermore, it is noted that the site is close to residential properties and therefore would be accessible by foot for people residing close by."
The plans were approved with no conditions.
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