The owner of a field at the centre of plans for an A82 relief road in Dumbarton hopes a permanent deal can be reached for land that allows her elderly ponies to graze peacefully.
Susan Dick last week quizzed members of West Dunbartonshire Council on potential areas that she could use for her pony therapy business, with sites at Sheepfold and Overtoun identified.
Labour councillor David McBride said land owned by the Dumbarton Common Good Fund at Overtoun could be leased to Ms Dick for £1 a year, whilst land at Sheepfold could be handed over - if it is deemed safe for animals – on the completion of works.
However members didn’t back a motion from the Community Party’s Jim Bollan that ruled out a compulsory purchase of Ms Dick’s current land.
Ms Dick has been embroiled in a long-fought battle with West Dunbartonshire Council which wants to divert the relief road through the pony field that has been home to her beloved animals.
Susan launched a campaign to save her field more than four years ago after the council told her they would need the land as part of the £34million Glasgow City Region Deal development.
She uses her fields to operate a therapy centre for chronically ill ponies, and worries about the impact the upheaval of a move could have.
Speaking to members at a full meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council last week, Ms Dick said: “One particular area at Overtoun is in your ownership and control, not leased to anyone and has been used for horses before so it’s entirely suitable. You’ve offered me a lease before of a much further away but unsuitable area so you’re not averse to leasing out your own land for horses.”
In response, Councillor McBride explained that as the land was owned by the Common Good Fund it couldn’t be handed over to Ms Dick, however a lease could be agreed.
He said: “If the recommendations of the report are approved then the council would be able to offer a grazing let for a piece of land within the Dumbarton Common Good at Overtoun which Ms Dick has recently identified at a cost of £1.
“Grazing lets would continue to be offered under the reinstatement of Sheepfold. However no permanent lease is possible with Common Good land.”
However Ms Dick outlined her worries about such an arrangement.
She commented: “I’m concerned about the lack of permanent lease on the land. I don’t want to be in the same position as I am now a few years down the line where my horses could be left homeless.
“I hope my ponies can have a permanent home, either at Sheepfold or Overtoun, and live out the rest of their days in peace.”
The report’s recommendations were approved by members.
