More Craigie trees look set for the chop

Aug 28 2009 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MORE trees are set to be felled in Ayr’s Craigie Estate.

A controversial university is planned for the site – and designers say another more woodland has to make way.

The latest revelation has sparked anger among the community who value the estate as a beauty spot.

They fought vigorously to defend the land after earlier plans to chop down 500 trees were unveiled.

But campaigners say this is one insult too many and claim South Ayrshire Council is letting the developers away with murder.

“We’re very concerned and angry,” confirmed Andy McLung, the chairman of Ayr North community council.

“All of this is being pushed through under the heading of education and they’re getting away with absolute murder.

“Every time plans come back to the table, they seem to have changed, and this council is just agreeing to everything put before it.”

That’s a view shared by Labour councillor Ian Cavana, who has led the fight to preserve Craigie since day one.

He insisted: “It’s becoming clear what’s happening here and I don’t like it one bit.

“We have a £70 million university on the horizon, which is great, but all of a sudden they keep needing more.

“In truth it’s turning into a farce. More trees are coming down, they now want another access road into the estate – and none of the original plans seem to stay the same.

“Nobody’s arguing with the idea of a new university, but at what cost to our surroundings?”

The uproar followed a decision by the council’s regulatory panel to accept the latest alteration to the University of West of Scotland’s plans.

A proposal to re-allign an access road into the Craigie Estate will cause a further 20 trees to bite the dust.

And in the report put before councillors, it was revealed: “There will be potential implications for the wildlife interest of the site.”

But planners insisted that a re-planting process would take place, including an avenue of lime trees, and councillors were sufficiently impressed to give the nod.