Three more motorhome parking trials will take place in South Ayrshire this summer after councillors debated the merits of the scheme.
South Ayrshire Council’s cabinet was asked to scrap pilot schemes in Links Road Car Park, Prestwick and Foreland Car Park in Ballantrae.
A new trial was also proposed at Troon’s North Shore Road Car Park. All three trials took place between April and September last year. Another two motorhome facilities in Ayr and Girvan run all year round.
But local councillors pushed back on proposals for Troon and Ballantrae.
Troon councillor Bob Pollock said he had concerns about returning to look at the site at North Shore car park, pointing to the number of complaints about the facility.
The report had recommended a second trial, despite lower than anticipated usage, suggesting that the new ferry terminal could increase numbers.
Cllr Pollock said: “I can understand the rationale for choosing that site as the trial. It has been unpopular and did generate a lot of complaints.
“It is quite close to quite a substantial elderly residential development. I don’t think it is in the right location.”
He added that there were no restrictions to motorhomes parking in other nearby car parks.
He said: “We need to restrict access or make sure that they don’t stay overnight and can be directed toward it.”
He added that officers needed to look at parking further along north shore at Barassie beach.
This was agreed by the cabinet.
Councillor Alec Clark took issue with the claim in the report that the scheme at Foreland car park in Ballantrae was ‘universally unpopular’ and faced ‘significant resistance to the imposition of charges’ from the local community.
Cllr Clark said that his knowledge of the situation was at odds with the report.
He said: “That is entirely not true. What happened was that two new local residents complained about mobile homes or camper parking in the vicinity of Foreland.”
This, he said, sparked a petition signed by more than 50 people who were in favour of the facility.
“People are welcoming the scheme as it is important to the economy of the village. They are dependent on tourism in the summer.”
Mr Braidwood replied that he would be happy to carry out a further trial, but warned that it was unlikely that it would generate income.
Cllr Clark suggested: “I am sure it will be able to wash its face. It may not make a profit, but it will support the local economy.”
While the feedback from the Prestwick trial was positive, the facility was not well used and should be removed, Mr Braidwood said.
The revisited Troon scheme will be joined by a new pilot at the Battery road in Ayr.
Mr Braidwood said: “The local residents association has now asked the council to consider the reintroduction of motorhomes to this area as the benefits to the local economy and the positive effect on the general area are considered more beneficial.”
The plans were approved by Cabinet on Wednesday.
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