Hole lot of anger as flats given OK
Golfers meet their match over Prestwick project
Plans to build a huge block of beachfront retirement flats have been given the green light, despite a storm of protest.
Sixty- nine appartments will overlook Prestwick shore on one side and the town’s birthplace of golf on the other.
And furious club bosses claim the development, which will replace the former Malcolm Sargent House, could tee up a world of trouble.
Councillors have given their backing to the McCarthy & Stone project, which will provide homes for over- 70s. Round- the- clock assisted living with access to care packages and support will be on offer.
The firm’s Russ Stewart said their plans were a chance to “regenerate a site that has been vacant for more than a year”.
But a string of objectors insist the move is wildly off course.
Ken Goodwin, secretary of Prestwick Golf Club, told a packed planning hearing that wayward balls from the course would easily reach gardens of the new flats.
The new building is set to edge closer to the course than the previous children’s cancer home, councillors were told.
And Mr Goodwin claimed the new development had the potential to overshadow the historic links.
Town planner Mike Tomlinson, who is vice- chair of Prestwick North Community Council, said: “We believe this is a unique site and should only be developed with a design to do it justice.
“That is simply not the case with these current plans.”
Fellow objector and golf club member Norman McLean added: “The site will become totally overdeveloped.
“The number of dwellings in Links Road will rise from 55 to 124.”
Ayrshire Roads Alliance officer Graeme Senior admitted the proposal had proved a “complicated case” on parking.
Only 38 spaces will be provided for the 69 flats, leading to concerns of an overspill in Links Road.
Councillor Peter Convery said: “I live close to one of these in Troon and it seems to work very well.
“Whether you like the design or not is another matter. That is subjective.”
Ian Cavana added: “I’m not sure where to start with this.
“We’ve heard all sorts of problems from golf balls to design to parking and I have big concerns.”
An ammendment tabled by Cllr Mary Kilpatrick to object on the grounds of planning policy received no backing from colleagues and the application was passed.