A PLANNING application to extend a garage in Ayr has been put on hold so councillors can inspect the area.

Due to the success of Doonfoot Parks Garage on Doonfoot Road, its owners are hoping to expand the operation of the dealership by changing the use of open space and extending behind the garage to form car parking and create a vehicle access.

The proposal of the application would be to create a surfaced yard area with access onto Cunning Park Drive, secured with a fence and screened by hedge/tree plantings.

It would also create the opportunity for the expansion of service bays, a showroom and a sales facility. There would be the removal of customer parking from Cunning Park Drive to create secure off-road parking and allow the opportunity for a dedicated in and out access, for example, only entry from Doonfoot Road existing access and an entry/exit point onto Cunning Park Drive, which would thereby improve traffic safety.

Although this application has a number of supporting comments, it has also racked up almost 50 objections to the development.

Due to the high volume of on street parking on both Doonfoot Road and Cunning Park Drive, the development would be seen as an ideal plan because it would decrease the number of cars on the road, however, it is argued that the proposed site would destroy a ‘beauty spot’ and the home to ‘many forms of wildlife’.

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It is also suggested that the extension to the garage would bring in more jobs for the local economy.

Supporters and objectors attended a planning meeting at the South Ayrshire council buildings last week.

Objecting against the proposal, Peter Moncey-Conegliano of Queens Terrace in Ayr, said: “This proposal is taking away open space. This isn’t any old open space, it is a unique beauty spot and is a tourist attraction.

“It is impossible to argue that setting up a used car park on the grassed area next to the River Doon would have little impact on its immediate environment – this is not the place for it.

“This proposed extension is at the culmination of a beautiful pedestrian river side walk. It is also a wildlife corridor, home to swans, ducks and king fishers.

“This unspoiled area would be completely ruined by concrete car park, security fences and new drainage pipes. It would be a shame to ruin this beauty spot that many generations have seen.”

John Scott MSP also objected to the development.

He said: “It is clear that the proposed development, which would be entirely out of keeping with the character of the existing open space and would entail loss of open space without replacement, does not conform and that, were planning permission be granted, it would have an irrevocable and detrimental effect on the amenity of the area and its environment. I urge that the terms of the South Ayrshire Development Plan be adhered to and that the planning application be rejected.”

Even though there are many objections, there are also 33 supporting arguments submitted for this planning application.

Noel Taylor of Abbots Crescent, Doonfoot, said: “Being a local resident, I would fully support this application as it makes total sense to use a small part of this land which no one uses in order to improve the parking situation on Cunning Park Drive.

“The garage has been a part of the landscape for many years and hope that it will continue to serve the local community for many years to come. Additional jobs in the local community should also be encouraged.”

Alasdair Devenney of McIlvanney Drive, Kilmarnock, added: “As a regular user of this garage, I am fully in support of their application to increase the space. I believe that this will allow the garage to offer a greater level of customer service and employ more staff in the process.

“As a business is looking to expand, I believe that South Ayrshire Council should be fully behind this - jobs are hard enough to come by and if the planned expansion brings more jobs, this can only be a good thing. Also, from a traffic safety point of view, I think that the planned expansion is a great idea. Anything which takes stationary traffic off the road and on to the forecourt can only be a good thing.”

Councillors of the Regulatory Panel moved the motion to defer the decision to organise a site visit.