A petition against the closure of Ayr's Citadel leisure centre has been thrown out by South Ayrshire Council.
More than 3,000 have lodged an online protest against the proposed switch to a new £45 million facility in the centre of town.
But objectors say their voices will be "ignored," after the mass protest was stonewalled.
Council bosses claim the opposition — lodged through popular petition site change.org — has breached their "protocols" and cannot be deemed competent.
Furious organiser John Ferguson, 73, told Ayrshire Live: "They are denying democracy, plain and simple.
"The council is trying to wriggle out by saying there aren't enough valid addresses contained within the petition, which is a nonsense.
"More than 3,000 people have signed in good faith expecting their voices to be heard — not ignored.
"All this proves is that the council is hell bent on making this new project happen and the views of the public clearly don't matter."
South Ayrshire's Tory leader, Martin Dowey, has already pledged to scrap the controversial new leisure centre and refurb the Citadel if his party takes control at next year's election.
He said: "Here is the proof, as if we needed it, that the council administration is running scared of public opinion.
"They don't want to face the uncomfortable truth because it doesn't suit with their agenda.
"When thousands of our residents take the time to sign a petition, the least this council should do is acknowledge the level of feeling and discuss the matter.
"After all, our motto is supposed to be Ne'er Forget The People."
A council spokesperson said: "The petition to ‘Keep the Ayr Citadel Leisure Centre’ was not valid for the following reasons:
"The petition did not have valid postal addresses for a minimum of 20 different households within South Ayrshire.
"The petitioner must demonstrate they have taken steps to try to resolve the issue prior to submitting their petition, no evidence of this was provided.
"A petition cannot proceed where the issue has been the subject of a report to councillors in the last six months, a report to councillors on the new leisure centre was considered on August 24, 2021.
"Finally, it would be inappropriate for councillors to consider a petition when council procedures have still to take place.
"In this case, the public will have the opportunity to make representations to the council on the new leisure centre through the planning process."
To sign the petition, which is still running, click HERE.
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