Symington on most wanted homes list
A giant sheep field is the latest target for housing in the village of Symington.
The site is at the southern entrance to the booming village which has been supersized in the last decade for its country living and easy commuting.
But community representatives are preparing for a fight after the developer - the mining giant Banks Group - showed its hand at an exhibition last night ( Tues).
They want to build 120 houses on the 14- acre field and have already christened the development “Stockbridge.”
It is owned locally by farmers and has been let out to grazing for years.
The larger top section nearer Kerrix Road has chiefly been arable.
But one prominent resident said: “Mactaggart and Mickel are still not finished their latest development and we just want a rest.
“We have had enough and need to be left alone for a while. I don’t see what benefit the village is actually getting out of all this.”
Mac Mic has been the biggest builder followed by Stewart Milne with Parish Meadows.
Banks’ property arm staged a public event in Symington Community Hall where it unveiled proposals.
The company admits it is drawn to the area because of high demand to “build where people want to live.”
Spokeswoman Jeannie Kielty said: “We want to involve residents and the community, at the early stages of our proposal for a residential development of around 120 homes to
Find the butcher boy.. it’s so easy
the north of Symington Road South.
“We have an option agreement with the landowner to promote the site for residential development.”
John Mulholland, treasurer of Symington Community Council, said the over- supply of housing was a “sword to the neck” of not only Symington, but also Troon.
He said: “Scottish planning law is supposed to protect the vulnerable rural areas and Symington is still a village.
“All these developments add up to the destruction of Symington as a village and everyone is concerned about that.”
The bid follows a failure just two weeks ago by Livingston- based Gladman Developments to build 85 houses off Brewlands Road after planning permission was refused.
It attracted 28 objections and district councillor Hugh Hunter remarked: “I see Symington being subject to creeping change – changing from its very unique village setting and becoming a small town.”
The population is set to soar well above 1500 after Mac Mic built another 100 homes and have completed sales at the 32 villa Loccard Park.
More than 10 years ago they completed the 44- home Townend Brae development.