Plans have been unveiled to establish a community garden on a former brownfield site in the village of Muirkirk.
But the proposals face opposition from a group of residents who live nearby.
Ayrshire Live can reveal that the organisation behind the plan, Muirkirk Enterprise Group (MEG), has identified a patch of land to the south of Smallburn Road, for the project.
The group has lodged their change of use proposals to East Ayrshire Council’s planning department for consideration.
Agents in the proposals are Kilmarnock-based Munro Architects Ltd.
A design statement describes the proposals as a ‘picnic stop’ but the scheme also includes picnic tables and benches, planters and grassed area with hard surfaced paths.
Plans also include a community garden with polytunnel, bicycle racks and the provision of vehicle parking.
The design statement says: “The subject of the Planning Permission including Change of Use application consists of a brownfield site formerly the location of a filling station cleared of structures a number of years ago and now ground overgrown with self seeding vegetation.
“This proposal is to develop the site as a picnic stop and encourage its use by locals and visitors passing through Muirkirk. MEG’s aim is also to benefit the local community by using part of the site as a Community Garden.”
Muirkirk Enterprise Group (MEG) was set up in 1999 with the aim of regenerating Muirkirk which was, at one time, labelled the most socially deprived village in Scotland.
The design statement also goes on to state that proposals for the Community Garden Area are at an “early stage” and will be “evolved” following consultation with local community groups and local residents.
And provision of a water supply to the Community Garden may be provided at a “future date” but will be the subject of “separate liaison” with Scottish Water on water supply connection at that time.
However, a group of residents living near the proposed site claim the land, the site of a former pit bing, (waste material) is ‘contaminated’ and that any development could exacerbate a fresh environmental issue.
They also claim their homes will suffer a loss of privacy and say there is an ‘over provision’ of similar features in the village as it is.
One resident who lives near the site said: “The land has been tested several times and found to be contaminated, so that’s the first issue. None of the home owners want this. There’s also the issue of privacy with cars parked across from people’s living rooms.
“And there’s already a community garden behind MEG’s offices, there’s one at the new school too. We don’t need another.”
Another resident said: “I believe it’s totally out of touch with the needs of this village. Money could’ve been invested elsewhere.
“How many gardens and picnic areas do we need? Here we’re adding more responsibility and need for volunteers to upkeep it. There’s a community garden that came with the school at no extra cost that isn’t utilised.”
The proposals do have support in some quarters.
Lisa Macmillan, who submitted a letter of support to the local authority’s online planning portal, said: “This is a great proposal that would turn an eyesore into something beautiful. It will also be a great project to involve residents, community groups and the school.”
A decision on the proposals is expected in March.
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