Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kevin Dyson

Flood claims surround controversial new Ayrshire pitch bid as decision looms

The long battle over the creation of an all weather pitch in Girvan's Victory Park could be fought to a conclusion this week.

Campaigners have been fighting the new Ayrshire development, claiming it is likely to exacerbate well-documented flooding in and around the park.

Supporters, on the other hand, are keen to see Girvan finally get a full size all weather pitch.

The application will be considered by South Ayrshire Council Regulatory Panel on Thursday, June 23.

It has also been revealed that, should the pitch get the go ahead, it could put at risk the development of a 'flood alleviation scheme'.

The council have already relocated the proposed site of the pitch several times.

The most recent saw a formal planning application, which would have seen the pitch built along the western edge of the park, being withdrawn.

It has now been re-sited at the existing park play area, which itself would need to be relocated if the pitch is given the go ahead.

Objectors have insisted the surface water from the park has regularly overwhelmed the drainage and sewer systems down to the Mill Burn - the only outlet for runoff from the park - leading to flooded roads, pavements and gardens.

One of the campaigners, Todor Radic of North Park Avenue, asked Scottish Water why they had not been consulted.

He wrote: "The current network is unable to cope with the huge volumes of water being directed into the network from the park and surrounding area.

Todor Radic has campaigned against development that could make flooding in the area worse. (Ayrshire Post)

"As all the water from said area is drained into the burn and once the burn reaches capacity, the water from the park and surrounding streets has nowhere to go, leading to the extensive flooding."

However, Scottish Water told Mr Radic that 'there haven't been any reports of flooding to Scottish Water for Victory Park and we haven't carried out any investigations in that location'.

The company pointed out that the drainage of surface water into their sewer system was the responsibility of the council.

However, they did offer to have an investigation team look at the site if Mr Radic had 'evidence of sewer flooding or witnessed surging manholes in the road'.

Despite its own flood map showing the high risk in the area, SEPA raised no objection to the application.

A formal flood assessment was carried out but was confined to the boundaries of the park itself, rather than the roads and houses outwith it.

Ayrshire Roads Alliance also responded to an objection about the lack of a drainage impact assessment, stating that it wouldn't be required for the proposals.

However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has seen an email from ARA which admitted: "The drain that feeds into the burn will not allow any water out when the burn is high, and this then backs up into the Park area which is where the water gathers.”

The report to councillors also suggests that the plan could place a Flood Alleviation Scheme at risk as a water storage area would have to be relocated.

It continues: "While the ARA indicate that the relocation of the flood storage area could result in a significant risk to the feasibility of the Flood Alleviation Scheme for both technical and cost increase reasons."

Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.