Friends of Belleisle hit back

We, at Friends of Belleisle ( letters October 31), are disappointed the golfers of Seafield Golf Course refer to us as “protesters”.

We agree with them in principle about having a Golf Academy, but we do not want an encroachment onto the Old Racecourse, which is Common Good Land. Friends of Belleisle are voicing the opinions of all who wish the Old Racecourse to remain in its present form, as an open recreational space for children’s football activities, sports and the general public use. It is our view the Golf Academy should be contained within the Seafield Course. If our compromise is unsuitable to golfers, then the venture should not proceed in this location. Any alternative change of Old Racecourse facility would be at the considerable expense to us, the ratepayers, instead of minimal maintenance as at present.

The letter from the golfers refers to a Business Plan. We have not seen a Business Plan but presumably it will be available to the public at the Leadership Panel meeting as it cannot be construed as commercial confidentiality given the public money at risk.

The Panel must regard the financial viability and encroachment on Common Good Land, ( owned by the people of Ayr and not South Ayrshire Council.)

The Panel requires to determine the planning application. The chairman will have to declare an interest in the application and cannot participate. Ultimately, the sheriff court would have to decide if the Common Good Land should be reduced in area to accommodate land being used to facilitate a commercial activity. Norman McLean Chairman, Friends of Belleisle