Background on the Site at Nelson Street

The Nelson Street Garden Area development was voted by Newmilns Residents in February 2022 through a facebook survey.

The grant for this project was part of the Scottish Governments Place Based Investment Program, where £20,000 was awarded to Newmilns, after East Ayrshire Council invited applications for projects that supported community led projects which were reflected in the local Community Action Plan, Place Plans, community engagement activity or through other community led regeneration work.

For several years now, volunteers have been cutting and strimming the riverbank at Nelson Street, to provide a more pleasing image of the River Irvine as it flows through our town. The underlying rubble and self seeded weeds made the task very difficult and this project is intended to present a much more picturesque appearance to those passing through Newmilns, along the A71, while also retaining some natural planting and acknowledging the heritage of the site. The area can also be used by all the community, with wheelchair and buggy access to the new garden area.

Proposal for New Garden Area

The new garden area will incorporate a wheelchair and buggy friendly pathway from the road leading to a patio area within the confines of the railings. Two new picnic benches will be added, one of which will be suitable for wheelchairs. The area in front of the wall next to the water will be landscaped to allow for grass cutting by the council and some suitable planting will be carried out here. Repairs are planned to the retaining wall and the unsafe railings replaced, which will be set back from the wall so as not to affect the structure.

Retaining wall shown in poor state or repair, missing railings and those remaining posed a health and safety risk, especially when the river is high. Trees affecting the structure of the wall which was probably build around the same time as the band stand to provide a level area for the structure.

On the former site of the Newmilns Band Stand, a stone circle will be laid to commemorate the local landmark. The Band Stand was built in 1906 and was an elaborate cast iron and glass structure. It was a prominent focal point in the town and provided a central location for brass band performances. It was dismantled and removed from site in 1936.

The garden area will incorporate areas sown with wildflower seeds to attract bees and wildlife. New plants, shrubs and trees will be added to enhance the garden area, including hawthorn, quince, crab apple, cherry blossom, holly, japonica, sanguineum, viburnam, forsythia, rhododendron, prunus and altaclerenisis. We are also planning to plant of 3 new willow trees, which love to be near river areas.

It was decided that with the strict budget, no formal drawings would be commissioned, but a team of experienced gardeners along with a local gardening company are plotting out the areas. The local gardening company have also advised on the selection of suitable plants and shrubs.

Please click the link below to view the schedule of the works involved.

Progress So Far

Levelling and landscaping complete ready for repair work to be done to the retaining wall

If you would like to be involved in this group (we have more preparation work to carry out, including raking and re-sowing grass seed to the disturbed areas), please get in touch by emailing hello@lovenewmilns.org or messaging our Love Newmilns facebook page.