The new Conservative administration in South Ayrshire has voted to search for alternative sites for a Gypsy Traveller facility – just as it appeared that they had finally settled on a way ahead.
It is the third time that officers have been asked to go and look for sites for a transit facility over the last 12 months.
The previous administration had agreed on Cockhill Farm, outside Ayr, as its preferred location having exhausted other options which were either not in council ownership or faced significant objections.
The transit facility was estimated at around £900,000 with the local authority covering £500,000 of the cost.
At its first cabinet meeting since taking control of South Ayrshire Council, the Conservatives were to consider a recommendation that would have confirmed the preferred site within Cockhill Farm.
But the cabinet instead paused all work relating to the Cockhill site and ordered officials to pursue other landowners for alternatives, despite Cockhill Farm being the only option deemed suitable after a year of investigations.
They also agreed to a request from a farmer who wished to discuss the use of his land for a facility.
Council leader Martin Dowey acknowledged that a transit site was necessary but added: “My personal opinion is that this is not our preferred site.”
Consultation on the use of Cockhill Farm saw 27 negative responses compared to just three positive.
Depute leader Lee Lyons proposed an amendment to the recommendations from officers.
He said that the council could use the time before hearing whether the bid for funding from the Scottish Government in late summer to consider alternatives.
Cllr Lyons’ proposal sees all work on the Cockhill Farm site paused until the outcome of the funding bid is confirmed.
In the meantime, the council will pursue discussions with the Gypsy Traveller community and other landowners to consider alternatives.
A report will then come back to the cabinet in September.
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