South Ayrshire Council has received the Scottish Government Reporter’s findings on the South Ayrshire Local Plan Inquiry.

The Inquiry, which heard objections to the Council’s Finalised Draft of the Local Plan, sat for a total of 80 days between August 2004 and March 2005, and considered almost 150 separate issues.

The extensive three volume report contains the conclusions and recommendations of the two Scottish Government Reporters who held the Inquiry.  These recommendations will now need to be considered by the Council.  If the Council intends to make changes to the Plan arising from its consideration of these recommendations, then these will be incorporated into proposed modifications to the Local Plan which would be published later in the year, and on which the public will have an opportunity to submit comments to the Council.

Amongst the Reporters’ key recommendations are:

• Development of approximately 550 houses at North East Troon.
• Development of approximately 430 houses at Greenan, Ayr.
• Allocation of land at South East Ayr (between the railway line and the A713 road) as a possible major longer term development area.
• Confirmation of a greenbelt around Ayr, Prestwick and Troon.
• Confirmation of an amended policy to secure affordable housing across South Ayrshire.

The Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald said:  “The Council is pleased to have received this report as it marks a further step towards the completion of the South Ayrshire Local Plan.  I would emphasise that the recommendations of the Reporter will require careful assessment by the Council when it considers the final content of the Local Plan for South Ayrshire.”

The full report of the Reporters has been placed on the Council’s website which can be accessed by logging onto www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/LocalPlan/notice.htm.  It is also available for inspection at the Council offices at Burns House, Burns Statue Square, Ayr during normal office hours. 

May 2006