Rally behind our greenbelt

‘ Super Troon’ homes plan blasted

loans and troon have mobilised to keep the pair apart forever.

Planners wanted the farm field between them zoned for development of homes which would join the communities into a Super- Troon.

This week communities on both sides of the land warned: “How dare you . . . leave our greenbelt alone.”

Twenty- five people crammed into Troon Community Council’s meeting on Tuesday to voice their opposition.

And in Loans the following night people gathered in the village hall where there heard any building would be “a disaster.”

A South Ayrshire Council consultation will open on Monday on whether the 30 acres of boggy farmland should be earmarked for development.

It is also a SSSI migratory birds site which stretches across the road to behind Hunter Crescent including geese, curlews and herons.

Troon Community Council heard it is already owned by a developer and draft plans show two- thirds of the small Loans playpark could also be lost.

An environmental survey with a view to building has already taken place. We’ve already told how both of Troon’s Tory Councillors Bob Pollock and Peter Convery tried to get the plan ditched, but were voted down.

Loans residents are being asked to sign a petition to save the medieval clachan after community council vice chair Bill Lockie asked: “Does anyone have anything positive to say about the potential development?’ and was met with silence.

District councillors are all urging residents to make their opposition known to South Ayrshire Councillors who will ultimately rule on whether the land is in our out of the Local Development Plan.

Councillor Peter Convery revealed that four underground burns cross the area as well as the visible Darley Burn.

There was also a claim the land is so boggy housebuilding equipment lies under the peaty soil.

Councillor Convery said: “I have given all of the administration colour pictures of the area covered in about three feet of water.

“Loans is a very important village, both in the history of Scotland and in Ayrshire, and it would not be the same again if this happens.

“It’s a very sad situation. But anyone with a modicom of sense, that unless you want to go sailing, it is not capable of this type of development.

“If this piece of ground is built on, then none of the greenbelt is safe.”

Councillor Craig Mackay claimed there was a “lot of scaremongering” and added: “It is quite early- on in the process.

“This site was placed in the council consultation by council officers, which is a bit odd.”

Angela Brown, who stays near the under- threat swingpark said: “We see all the children playing and that would be a huge loss if it is to happen. “It would be ridiculous.” Councillor Pollock added: “This is not a done deal as far as I am concerned.”

Muirhead South Drive resident Alice Stevenson fears her cul- de- sac could be used as a main road in to any new estate.

She said: “I call it my own personal lake, I am a birder and historian and this field is full of wildlife, including geese as their only stop- over from Iceland.

“My mum and my aunt told me this field was actually built in, and the ones that had been built had all sunk because of an underground burn.

“I am also worried they use our road as a main road in.

“If it comes to it can the council not buy it and make it into a wildlife park?”

Consultation will run until January.