South Ayrshire Council says it remains committed to finding a solution for the former Ayr Station Hotel site, despite continuing legal proceedings with the building’s owner.
The historic building, beside Ayr railway station, was badly damaged by fire in 2023. It was later partially demolished because of safety concerns, leaving the site at one of Ayr’s key gateways in a condition that has prompted repeated calls for action.
Why the site remains unresolved
Calls have been made for the council to use compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to take control of the property. The site forms part of Ayr’s railway station, but progress has been held back by ongoing legal battles with the owner.
The council said safety work at the former hotel was completed in June 2024. It added that discussions have continued with key partners, including Network Rail, but said it could not comment further while legal proceedings remain underway.
“Our safety works at the former Station Hotel were completed in June 2024. Since that time, discussions have continued with key partners including Network Rail and we remain committed to finding a solution for the site. Given that legal proceedings are still underway it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”
The council’s position comes after Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown called for the authority to make use of proposed changes to CPO legislation. The Scottish Government plans to introduce legislation following a consultation that found widespread support for reform.
What the proposed CPO reforms would change
The planned changes include a single Compulsory Purchase Act intended to make the approval process faster and more certain. They would also give authorities more flexible powers, so they would not have to acquire land permanently in every case.
Ms Brown said the reforms could help councils deal with dangerous and derelict buildings, particularly where properties are privately owned and listed. She pointed to the former Station Hotel as an example of the difficulty councils can face when trying to address a dangerous, derelict building.
“New Scottish Government legislation to reform compulsory purchase orders could help councils tackle long-standing dangerous and derelict buildings - something that matters greatly in Ayr, where the Station Hotel has blighted the town for far too long.”
She said the changes would make the CPO system more effective and easier to use, while providing councils with a clearer framework for dealing with properties that pose a danger or hold back regeneration.
Existing CPO powers have already been used elsewhere in Scotland. Falkirk Council used them to address a fire-damaged and abandoned property in Bo’ness, while Glasgow City Council has used CPOs frequently in relation to long-term vacant properties.
Pressure for action in Ayr
Ms Brown said the reforms created an opportunity to make those powers more effective and called for them to lead to action in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon.
“The Station Hotel cannot be allowed to remain a blight on one of Ayr’s most important gateways. South Ayrshire Council must take action.”
She said she would continue to push for a solution focused on public safety, tackling dereliction and unlocking wider regeneration in Ayr town centre. No further timetable for resolving the former hotel site was given in the report.
