Council plans new travellers’ site

Aug 28 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A NEW travellers’ site looks set to be created in South Ayrshire.

Funding has been secured and 110 possible locations are being considered – including Glenburn industrial estate.

The news has been met with anger by the business community.

But council leader Hugh Hunter is adamant no decision will be taken before consulting with the public.

South Ayrshire Council made a successful funding bid to the Scottish Government to allow the development of a transit site for travellers.

In a letter to Councillor Helen Moonie, the housing manger explained the situation.

David Burns said: “This would hopefully lead to a direct reduction in the number of unauthorised encampments at high profile, high amenity areas such as Prestwick, Troon and Ayr seafronts.

“The preferred location has yet to be agreed.”

Billy Parker has ran his landscaping business, Prolawn, from Shawfarm Road in Prestwick for the last six years.

And he has serious concerns about the proposal to locate the site at Glenburn – across the road from his business.

Billy said: “We are looking to renew our lease and possibly buy our premises.

“But if the camp is set up at Glenburn industrial estate, we certainly won’t be buying it.

“We have a lot of gardening equipment stored here and I have fears over security.

“That’s the feedback I’m getting from a lot of businesses in the area.

“I believe the council want to set it up as far away from a residential area as possible. The government have allocated this funding and the council are now working within a timeframe to find a suitable location and get the site up and running.”

Council leader Hugh Hunter is insisting that no decision has been made yet.

He explained: “The Scottish Government is making available funding to local authorities to develop sites for gypsy travellers.

“South Ayrshire Council has not identified any suitable sites, the suggestion that a site willbe built in Prestwick is inaccurate.

“I would like to make it very clear that if the council did identify what they considered to be a suitable site a full and extensive consultation process would be carried out with the public prior to any decisions being taken.”