Kick this plan into the rough
A chunk of common good land in Ayr is set to become a golf academy if councillors give the goahead this week.
Two holes are to be created at the Old Racecourse as part of the new golf training ground stretching across from the Seafield course in Belleisle.
A paper going before councillors said council officials would undertake work “to progress a petition to the sheriff” to change usage of the open space.
Councillors sitting on the Leadership Panel are also due to vote on whether to plough £ 200,000 into the academy bid.
Taking away common good land has prompted fury from objectors.
Andrew Russell, of Alloway and Doonfoot Community Council, said the administration is making “everlasting decisions to take our land from us for a minority sport that is not in the common interest.”
Fort Seafield and Wallacetown Community Council is also against the proposal.
The ground is used by residents and clubs for football, rugby, running and dog walking among other pursuits.
The council paper said: “The development of a golf academy is anticipated to further strengthen the golf offering in South Ayrshire and thus there is merit in amending the leisure use of a portion of this common good land from sports pitches to golf.”
Playing grounds at Ayr and Queen Margaret Academies would make up for the lost pitch es at the Old Racecourse se according to the paper.
Cost so off maintaining g the grounds s at £21,000 a year would d be met by the council if the plans get signed off.
The Ayrshire Golf Trust is behind the bid and is trying to win money for the project from Sport Scotland and a a local sports trust. Talks with the Royal and Ancient are also under way about their development fund.
It is estim estimated the Ayrshire Golf Trust need between £ 410,000 t to £ 465,000 to make t the venture happen. The Leadership P Panel will make a de decision on whether to approve proposals thi this week.
They are making everlasting decisions to take our land from us