The prominent site, on Heathfield Road, has been vacant for decades following the closure of the sawmill.

Proposals had previously been lodged for housing and a Lidl supermarket on the site, but were not followed through.

A new application has now been submitted to South Ayrshire Council for a ‘mixed-use development’ at the site.

Alexander Sawmills is looking to confirm whether an environmental impact assessment will be needed to support a full planning application in the future.

According to documents lodged with SAC, the development would include a garden centre, a convenience food store including a drive-through facility, a number of other retail operations, and an EV charging hub.

Supporting documents from North Planning & Development said: “The proposed development does not fall within or contain any of the following ‘sensitive areas’ - SSSI, International Conservation Site, NSA, World Heritage Site, Scheduled Monument or National Park.

“The nature and characteristics of the site are such that the proposed development will not materially impact natural resources, and the nature and scale of the proposals are such that there will be no significant impacts relative to production of waste, pollution, nuisance or risk of accident.

“It is not considered that the proposal will have any material extent of environmental impact beyond the site and its immediate environs.

“When assessed against the relevant criteria of the EIA Regulations, the proposed development is not judged likely to raise significant environmental impacts and it is therefore considered that an EIA is not required.”