Residents vow to fight land grab at beauty spot
And instead of being planned as expected where existing grass football pitches are nearer Girvan Academy, the touted spot has been secretly switched.
It is hard up against Victory Park Road and the rose garden at the top of Wesley Road and was always known as the “boggy end” due to drainage problems. It is currently taken up by a rarely used rugby pitch.
One resident, part of an unofficial campaign against the plan, said: “This land was given to the people of Girvan at the end of the First World War in recognition of their contribution.
“If this goes ahead we will be looking up at the hills through fencing with floodlighting on the top. All we would need is the guards with guns.
“Eight houses would be very badly affected by this.”
MP Bill Grant has been contacted and Girvan Tory councillor Ian Fitzsimmons is backing the residents.
Councillor Fitzsimmons said: “I welcome this badly needed investment in Girvan. However, Victory Park is not a suitable location for this pitch. My Conservative group and I cannot support this pitch on the present proposed site. I have had meetings with a number of local residents groups and local football groups about alternative sites.
“I have also scheduled a meeting with senior council officers with a view to looking at more appropriate sites.
“We need investment, but, investment the whole town can agree on.”
South Ayrshire Council confirmed this week a consultation period runs to September 6.
A spokesman said: “We want as many people as possible to get active and stay active and 3G pitches support multiple sports all year round.
“Girvan is the only town in South Ayrshire which doesn’t have a 3G pitch so a consultation was held in November 2018 and 83% of respondents supported the development of a pitch in Girvan.
“The consultation also asked for views on possible sites and Victory Park was the preferred choice, reflecting its central location and close proximity to local schools. Since the proposed pitch location is on Common Good land, a further consultation is required.”