Press Releases have been issued:
https://www.vanoord.com/en/updates/millport-flood-protection-scheme-awarded-van-oord
and
Neither have massive detail, but there's this: "Preparatory works will start this month, with construction beginning in mid-March."
as far as I can see there are two main parts to this project
The onshore work, which impacts the benches, walkways, beach access etc etc
The offshore work, which seems to be Involve creating a number of artificial breakwaters out in the bay.
Logic would dictate that the offshore would would be done first, and the onshore work done later in the tourist "off" season, but somehow I doubt this will happen.
The NAC website page about this project is painfully out of date - https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/community-safety/flooding/millport-coastal-fps.aspx - E.G. "Presently the proposed construction start is Summer 2022"
That web page states: "The Council will carry out a separate consultation on the future of the memorial plaques." I know that the council were trying to identify the owners of "unknown" plaques, I don't know if the council has been in contact with any of the known owers. I've seen nothing from the Council on social media asking for feedback on the benches and plaques..
There's a lot of unknowns...