Victory for the Common Good champions?

It looks like ‘all change’ down Girvan way at Victory Park . . for the moment anyway.

Plans for the controversial ‘3G’ pitch have been shelved – although they are likely to be resubmitted for another site in the seaside town.

The problem appears to be drainage issues with the Victory Park site – a problem highlighted by objectors to this Common Good land grab – but largely ignored.

So, is it a victory for the Victory Park Common

Good champions?

Well – not really.

In the end, their objections didn’t really count. What we have here is a spectacular own goal by South Ayrshire Council – and certain councillors – who wanted Victory Park come hell or high water.

And it looks like ‘high water’ has – rather fittingly - been their undoing.

Sadly, not all the pro-pitch campaigners are seeing it that way.

Even sadder is that many have taken to social media with posts ranging from the distasteful to the vile. Comments on a picture of the largely elderly objectors – saying that they’ll all be dead soon – have no place in a civilised community debate.

I don’t expect a group hug to break out along either side of Park Avenue – but the Common Good objectors should be respected rather than reviled.

They stood up for what they believed in – and many paid the price in strained relationships with friends, neighbours and the community around them.

Likewise, the pro-pitch campaigners only wanted the best for their families and children.

In the end, they were beaten not by the law of the land . . . but by the lie of the land.

It sounds like a no-scoring draw here.

But if Girvan gets the artificial pitch it needs and deserves – and Common Good land gets the respect it deserves – both sides can come out winners.