Where is Newmilns?

Newmilns is a small town of 3,400 people located 7 miles to the east of Kilmarnock on the A71, within the boundary of East Ayrshire Council.

View East Ayrshire map

History of Newmilns

Newmilns has a distinguished history stretching back over 500 years. It started as a small settlement at the fording point of the River Irvine in the narrowest part of the Irvine Valley. In 1490, Newmilns was formed as a burgh of barony.

At the end of the 16th century, refugees from France and Flanders settled in Newmilns, bringing with them skills and techniques in lace making. The Town grew and prospered through the manufacturing of cotton, linen and lace.

The introduction of the power loom in the late 19th century marked the beginning of the golden years for the lace industry in Newmilns. By the end of the Second World War, there were 12 lace and madras factories in Newmilns. The importance of lace is reflected in the architecture of public buildings in the town centre, such as Lady Flora's Institute and the Morton Hall.

The recent history of Newmilns, and indeed the whole of the Irvine Valley, has been marked by a period of decline due to the demise of the traditional manufacturing base of lace design and production. The social consequences are characterised by very real deprivation evidenced by a range of social and economic indicators. The economic decline of the town has resulted in a spiral of decline in the urban environment. This has been compounded by changes in mobility and retail preference which, despite past action, have left a significant legacy of vacant commercial and industrial buildings.

Background to the Newmilns Townscape Heritage Initiative (NTHI)

The economic problems have been recognised since the late 1980's, with the launch of the Newmilns and Greenholm Initiative. The work of the Initiative included the restoration of several key buildings in Newmilns - Lady Flora's Institute, Newmilns Tower, the Town House and the Covenanters Inn - in patnership with Building Preservation Trusts, Historic Scotland and Scottish Homes as well as a number of local agencies.

The NTHI builds on the achievements of the Newmilns and Greenholm Inititative, which is now incorporated into the wider Irvine Valley Regeneration Partnership. Those key projects not undertaken by the Newmilns and Greenholm Initiative, including Westgate Co-op and Brown's Institute, formed the basis of the NTHI Action Plan.

The THI Stage 2 Submission was prepared by a consultancy team lead by Page and Park and including KLM and StVCPT, on behalf of East Ayrshire Council, with funding from Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire.

Chairman's Report

I am very pleased to report that the work of the NTHI is now three-quarters complete, with the contracts in place in respect of the grant funding for the two final projects at the former Rex Cinema site and 53 Main Street . This year has seen the completion of the full restoration projects at the former Westgate Co-op (Westgate House), 73-77 Main Street and 24, 26-28 High Street and the new build project at the Covenanters Car Park, creating a further 38 new flats and houses in Newmilns.

What a difference these projects have made, particularly Westgate House, which is now an attractive focal point within the centre of Newmilns and the Irvine Valley as a whole. The vacant, derelict buildings in Main Street/High Street have been restored to their former glory and the site of the former Covenanters car park has been developed with attractive housing.

There is no doubt that the Townscape Heritage Initiative has already made a major difference to the physical appearance of Newmilns and in so doing has sustained existing jobs and created new ones, whilst creating new homes and generally improving the feeling of well-being of the residents of the town and the Irvine Valley as a whole. These benefits will be further extended with the execution of the final two projects by Shire Housing Association Limited and Mair Matheson Limited.

As a result of the commitment to these projects, the budget for the NTHI is now fully allocated in accordance with the Action Plan.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to date to the successful completion of these NTHI projects, particularly the members of the Executive Committee and the Steering Group, Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust, St Vincent Crescent Preservation Trust, Shire Housing Association Limited and Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association Limited.

Councillor Eric Ross
Chairman
Newmilns Townscape Heritage Initiative
8 November 2003.

What is the Newmilns Townscape Heritage Initiative (NTHI)?

The NTHI is a partnership between East Ayrshire Council and the Irvine Valley Regeneration Partnership, with East Ayrshire Council taking the lead role. The nominated representatives of East Ayrshire Council are Councillor Eric Ross, Councillor James Kelly and Councillor Harry Wilson. The nominated representatives of the Irvine Valley Regeneration Partnership are Robert Leggate (Newmilns and Greenholm Community Council), Fiona Walker (Scottish Civic Trust) and Morag McConnell (representing local businesses).

The Chair is Councillor Eric Ross and the Vice Chair is Councillor James Kelly.

Irvine Valley Regeneration Partnership Web Site

What are the objectives of the Newmilns Townscape Heritage Initiative (NTHI)?

The NTHI's principal objective is to contribute towards the economic, environmental and social regeneration of the historic heart of Newmilns and the wider Irvine Valley. Specifically, the Initiative has sought to:-

(a) Improve the quality and image of the built environment;
(b) Stimulate occupation and use of historic buildings; and
(c) Support sensitive new build development in important gap sites.

The NTHI has provided grant assistance for the purpose of carrying out building development and environmental improvements in Newmilns for the following:-

(a) building restoration and renovation works
(b) new build works
(c) the environmental improvement of open space and waste ground in Newmilns
(d) reinstatement of architectural detail and features

The Project commenced on the 24th December 1999 and runs until the 31st March 2005.

What is the Membership of the Newmilns Townscape Heritage Initiative (NTHI)?

Membership of the NTHI includes East Ayrshire Employment Initiative, Barr/Score, Newmilns and Greenholm Community Council, St Vincent Crescent Preservation Trust, Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust, Loudoun Valley Trust, Newmilns Action Group, Shire Housing Association Limited and Newmilns Scouts.

Email - Shire Housing Association Limited
Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire
Communities Scotland
Historic Scotland
Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association

Who provides the funding for the Newmilns Townscape Heritage Initiative (NTHI)?

The NTHI is grateful for the financial support it has received to date and for the support that has been promised towards the remaining restoration and new build projects.

The following is the situation regarding committed funding in December 2003:-

Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) - £1,700,000
Communities Scotland - £1,011,606
Scottish Executive's Empty Homes Initiative - £751,000
Historic Scotland - £553,738
Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire - £380,000
East Ayrshire Council - £112,136
Score Environmental Ltd/Barr Environmental - £10,000
Other Sources - £32,215
TOTAL - £4,475,391

Contact

Acknowledgements

The NTHI would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of its funding partners, the Building Preservation Trusts, the Housing Associations and Mair Matheson Limited, without whom the regeneration of the Newmilns THI would be impossible.

Equally important is the support of the people of Newmilns and the Irvine Valley, who can now see real changes in Newmilns as a result of the work of the NTHI.