An application for outline planning permission for erection of a primary school campus on part of the recreational land at the Old Racecourse in Ayr has been rejected.

As part of South Ayrshire Council’s plans to relocate Ayr Grammar Primary School from Midton Road, Ayr, under a Public Private Partnership (PPP), an outline planning application was heard by members of the Council’s Planning Committee.

Convener of the Planning Committee, Councillor Helen Moonie said:

“Members of the Planning Committee approached this application in the same way all applications are dealt with, in an open and transparent manner.

“Due to the large number of objectors a special meeting was arranged in the Citadel in Ayr, to afford all objectors and supporters an opportunity to make their views known.

“Before making any decision the Committee closely considered the recommendation from Officers of the Council, letters received supporting or objecting to the proposal, and personal representations made at the Planning Committee.

“Then, and only then, did the Committee make a decision, taking cognisance of all the information available to them.”

Officers of the Council had recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions and referred to the Scottish Government for their approval.

A vote took place between a motion from Councillor Peter Convery that the application be rejected and an amendment by the Convener Councillor Helen Moonie supporting the Officers recommendations for approval.

The motion to refuse was carried by five votes to four.

March 2005