Funfair visit leaves residents raging
Council face criticism for allowing event
There is no fun at the fair for some folk in Strathaven.
Residents have slammed South Lanarkshire Council for allowing a funfair to return to the town.
One of the car parks in Strathaven Park was filled with equipment as the funfair was opened.
However, nearby George Allan Place residents were left furious at people staying on site for over a week.
The funfair operators previously occupied the car park in 2015.
Last year their application to use the park was knocked back and the group of residents felt this should have been the case once again.
Douglas Scott, whose home looks directly on to the car park, said he is happy to back events such as the gala day when it comes to using the area but feels there is too much disruption to local services.
He said: “It’s an issue for all of us as residents. We support the gala day and the balloon festival because we are happy to support these types of events in town and for them to use the car park.
“I accept there will be disruption – he has been granted a licence and it’s perfectly legal – but what I don’t expect is for someone to be allowed to deny the residents of Strathaven access to the car park and the park and ride facility for Kirklandpark Primary School.
“It’s a lack of consideration and the council haven’t dealt with it very well.”
Councillor Graeme Campbell said the community had worked hard to limit anti-social behaviour in the car park for years and this was undoing all that effort.
“It seems like the council are making one rule for people who are paying them a fee for a few days and another for the community,” he said.
“They also blocked the car park. There was absolutely no through path at all if there was an emergency in the park.
“The people nearby don’t want it, the town doesn’t want it and the council were happy to grant a licence despite a list of objections.”
Shirley Clelland, head of fleet and environmental services at the council, said they found no issues following an investigation.
“We did receive a complaint that people were sleeping in a vehicle,” she added.
“We contacted the licence holder regarding the complaint, who advised sufficient sleeping and sanitary accommodation was provided at the site.
“Site visits were carried out and no issues were found that required attention from environmental services.”