Cafe owner at boiling point over snack kiosk

Nov 6 2009 by Edwin Lawrence, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

ANGER erupted after councillors gave the go-ahead for a hot food kiosk at Ayr’s seafront putting green.

Objector Walter McIndoe blasted: “I think it’s a disgrace.”

And pointing to the council coat of arms, he said in a raised voice: “See that up there. It says ‘don’t forget the people’. Well, we are the people – and this is a disgrace.”

Mr McIndoe then stormed out of the planning committee meeting in the County Buildings.

Ironically, the meeting hall boasts a commanding view of the seafront, including the putting green.

Mr McIndoe was one of the objectors who spoke against a plan submitted by Billy Hammond, who has the lease of the putting green.

Mr McIndoe, who owns the nearby Lunch Box cafe, pointed out: “This snack bar will be 20 metres from my business.”

Mr McIndoe’s brother Clive, who has a seafront kiosk, also objected, citing ‘over-provision’ of snack facilities.

Jonathan Finnie, who operates Pirate Pete’s, said Mr Hammond’s snack bar would ‘totally change the view’.

And he claimed Mr Hammond’s application was essentially the same one that was turned down last year.

Councillors on the planning committee also clearly still had misgivings about the plan.

They raised issues of water and toilets.

But planner Michael McLelland explained that these would be dealt with by the environmental health department.

Similarly with the issue of over-provision, which Mr McLelland said is not relevant to planning.

And he said the new application differed from the failed one, as a hard-standing area with picnic tables had been omitted.

Mr McLelland also pointed out that the Scottish Government planning reporter had indicated Mr Hammond was entitled to make improvements to the putting green.

Mr Hammond was not at the meeting, but has said in the past that he wishes to improve the putting green facility by replacing a portable catering unit with a permanent building.

Councillor Ann Galbraith said she couldn’t find a single planning reason to refuse Mr Hammond’s application.

But she admitted: “I don’t like it. Is a burger stand really the best we can do for Ayr seafront?”

Committee chairman Councillor Ian Fitzsimmons moved approval, and was seconded by Councillor Andy Campbell.

There were no other motions or amendments, and Mr Hammond’s application was unanimously approved.

It was at this point that Mr McIndoe’s outburst occurred.