A HUGE housing development in the heart of Symington will not be served by its own road despite residents’ wishes.

Instead all traffic from new homes will leave and enter through the village’s busy Main Street.

A 20mph speed limit is to be imposed as part of efforts to calm traffic in the congested street.

The decision was taken at last week’s South Ayrshire Council Regulatory Panel meeting.

Calls for a new road to ease congestion were dismissed as unnecessary at County Buildings.

Instead the slower speed, raised kerbs and limited yellow lines at junctions are to be introduced to offset the impact of an estimated extra 300 vehicles hitting the village.

Councillor Hugh Hunter questioned why planners decided there was no need for a relief road, which went against what people wanted.

Planner Austin Cooke said: “The applicant had demonstrated there was no requirement for a relief road as traffic calming could be mitigated.” The meeting also heard higher kerbs are to be put in place to stop cars mounting pavements.

The recommendations were drafted after a public consultation and findings from contractor Grontmij hired by the developer.

Local politicians approved the proposals last week but Councillor Hunter said he was doing so “reluctantly.” One hundred and forty four homes are being built at land opposite Townend Terrace and Main Street junction.

Residents were gutted when the large housing development from Mactaggart and Mickel was given the go-ahead in May.

Fifty-four residents objected to the plans, which involve 7.76 hectares of land being used to the west of Main Street and south east of the village’s conservation area.