PLANS for an incredible new soft play and cafe facility in Stevenston have moved a step closer to becoming a reality.

There could be a major jobs and economic boost for locals after proposals for the facility were approved by North Ayrshire Council.

It means that work on transforming the former DEBRA charity shop and Kwik Save supermarket on Fullarton Place can soon begin, with applicant Mandeep Dhaliwal edging closer to opening up his "dream" business.

Mr Dhaliwal is the director of Play & Go, a company recently set up to operate the facility, and a well known face locally having worked for his family business - the Premier Store in Kilwinning - for the past 20 years.

In more recent years, alongside his brother, he also opened the Subway sandwich shop franchise in Kilwinning before going on to acquire the same chain's franchise in Saltcoats.

When first bringing his soft play proposals to the council, Mr Dhaliwal described it as a dream of his to operate such a business.

(Image: Street View/CC Architectural)

He added that when the opportunity to acquire the former charity shop arose, it was one which was too good to pass up.

He said: "I have always worked towards going on my own one day and my dream has always been to do a soft play.

"When this large vacant building came up for sale last year, I could see this as the perfect opportunity to help create jobs, generate footfall back into the main shopping area, and upgrade what is becoming an eyesore.

"Creating a facility in this location could help spark a regeneration of the immediate neighbourhood, filling some of the empty units nearby.

"The unit is also local to me and I am familiar with the surroundings area and the locals."

Drawings submitted in the initial application detail how the soft play would look once completed.

(Image: Street View/CC Architectural)

The downstairs play area will include several 'zones' for youngsters to enjoy, including challenge, trampoline, interactive sports, soft playground and exploration zones.

These areas will also include triple slides, a robot goalkeeper, scientific exploration table games, interactive trampolines, and a ball pool.

The various play areas are to have a capacity for up to 155 people, while the adjacent cafe would have seating capacity for a further 96.

(Image: Street View/CC Architectural)

Toilets, staff areas and a party room for functions are also included.

The plans state that 53 parking spaces would be provided in the car park adjacent to the building, accessed from Glebe Street.

The application also outlines proposals for ride-on games outside the main entrance, underneath a shelter.

The facility is set to be called 'Candy Lane Soft Play' with plans stating the business would be open seven days per week from 9.30am until 6pm.

(Image: Street View/CC Architectural)

Once in operation, bookings will be taken via a computer system with two hour sessions offered.

The cafe would serve hot and cold food and drinks, with a buzzer system to alert diners when meals are ready to reduce overcrowding.

The application does not say how many jobs might be created once the soft play is operational.

Plans were approved by planning officers this week, with only one condition relation to extraction systems attached.

Full plans are still available to view online via the council's online planning portal, searching for reference 22/00471/PP.