Ayr caravan plan set to be blocked

Oct 30 2009 by Stuart Wilson

PLANS to construct a large-scale caravan park at a coastal beauty spot look set to be knocked back.

Businessman Mark White wants to build a holiday home centre at the Heads of Ayr.

But his ambitious ideas are likely to bite the dust in the face of fierce opposition.

The park, which would feature 93 static caravans and space for 49 tourers, has sparked outrage among residents.

And South Ayrshire Council, who are due to consider the proposals, has received an incredible 432 letters of objection.

The council’s regulatory panel was scheduled to make its decision today (Thursday), but will now go before officials at a later date.

It’s believed the scale of controversy may force the decision to be taken by a meeting of the full council instead.

When the plans were revealed, Mr White insisted his site at Balig Farm would be fully screened by trees and include a pond.

But the park would stretch along 1200m of coast road and locals believe the area would be wrecked.

Some complaints have already been made about the behaviour of residents at the nearby Craig Tara holiday park.

And one letter of objection claims: “At the moment, my council tax is in the region of £300 per month and certainly it is not exactly safe with regular drunken louts parading en route to Craig Tara every single weekend.

“I have been forced to install CCTV as a result of this unacceptable behaviour and have invested a great deal of financial support in order to establish a safe residence.

“If the caravan park is established this area will definitely become un-safe and certainly become less desirable.”

Another objector adds: “It is the main road out of Ayr on the coast road, very popular with local residents and for tourists with its views, the farm park and even the Electric Brae.

“This development will destroy the scenic views over the hills and putting in a hedge will not help this fact.

“Can we assume that any development will be permitted anywhere so long as the developer plants a hedge?”

And another says: “It is fundamental that the council protects our environment and does not allow this development which will be a scar on the landscape.”

Ayr MSP John Scott is also dead against the proposal.

He said: “We all want to see the tourist economy of our area flourish but the sheer scale of what is being proposed and the detrimental impact that it would have on the natural beauty of the Carrick hills, which itself contributes so much to the tourist potential of southern Ayrshire, suggests to me that it would actually be damaging rather then helpful to our local economy.

“Add to that the fact that it would significantly spoil the view of the Carrick hills enjoyed by residents in the immediate vicinity, and indeed the view from points along the whole of the Ayr bay, and the case against this proposal is overwhelming.”

Mr White claims demand is rising for self-catering accommodation, and that Craig Tara is reaching capacity.

But it’s unlikely his words will hold sway, as councillors will be met with a recommendation to refuse the proposal.