Opposition to golf course homes plan
A housing supremo has vowed to save golf course land under threat of development.
A three- acre slice of woodland and rough on the Darley Golf Course in Troon has been offered as potential housing land.
Troon and Barassie feel inundated with housing as work on 780 new homes continues at Earls Green.
And planners eyed the wildlife haven flanking the fifth fairway and sixth tee for 60 council houses.
But Councillor Phil Saxton, the housing covenor of South Ayrshire, said: “As far as I am concerned as the portfolio carrier it is not proceeding. This has been ongoing for some time.
“But in my opinion it is not suitable for housing and it will not be progressed.
“I also take into consideration people bought their homes viewing on to a golf course and that’s the way it should stay.”
Access would be via the Findhorn Place culdesac, slicing across a path popular with dog walkers and children haeading to Struthers Primary.
But any actual application for housing would have to be ratified through court as the course is common good land.
The development would also impact on folk in Solway Place and Coyle Park.
A £ 1.7million bid three years ago to build 13 one- bedroom bungalows on gorse flanking the Darley course at Muirhead Primary was thrown out.
The latest piece of land has been contained in the Local Development Plan 2.
Two other sites earmarked for homes in Muirhead are likely to be designated.
They are a 20- home development on open space at Aldersyde Avenue and 30 on the grassland in an L- shape along the far side of Burns Road.
Nan McFarlane, of Troon Community Council, said a precedent would be created if the Darley land was re- zoned for housing.
She suspects council officials have been approached by developers who had enquired about the site.
She said: “It would be incomprehensible. They have never built on the golf course before.
“The whole of the Darley golf course right up to the Kilmarnock Road would have to be redesignated from leisure to housing, not just putting a line around the piece they want to build on. There is a right of way through this spot from Collenan as well.
“I believe Troon has had enough of new housing for the moment.
“It is oversubscribed, there are other places in South Ayrshire that should be taking a share.
“There is no justification to release any more land in Troon for housing.”
I believe Troon has had enough of new housing for the moment