A gypsy traveller family is hoping to win planning permission to use their land for a caravan pitch and shower block on the outskirts of Kilmarnock.
The vacant plot, which sits about a mile from Crosshouse, was once owned by the operators of Busbiehill Guest House.
Applicant Peter McGuigan hopes to get the go-ahead for a mobile home and a touring caravan pitch on the proposed site as well as a building housing a kitchen and shower area.
Work has already taken place to create the caravan area according to planning documents – sparking a retrospective planning application.
It was was due to go in front of councillors last month but was temporarily withdrawn “on road safety grounds” and will be brought back at a future meeting.
East Ayrshire Council officials recommend planning permission should be granted.
Sixteen objections have been lodged over the development.
A complaint has been made to the council about noise from a generator disturbing nearby residents’ sleep.
A council report prepared for the council planning committee said: “The housing service have advised that there is a drive at both a national and local level to improve service provision to Gypsy/Travellers including the provision of culturally suitable accommodation.”
Agent Seath Planning submitted a statement on behalf of Mr McGuigan.
It said: “The McGuigan family propose a spacious site to make good use of the land in their ownership.”
The statement added: “There is a still a proven need for the development of Gypsy/Traveller sites in East Ayrshire. The site near Knockentiber would deliver benefits to the council by providing much needed accommodation without detriment to the public sector budget.
"There are no other suitable alternative sites for Gypsy Travellers in the area nor is there a prospect of them being delivered to the standard proposed in this planning application.”
