Sensory maze park on Ayr seafront approved despite 110 objections

Plans for a £400,000 sensory maze park on Ayr seafront have been backed by councillors despite more than two-thirds of consultation responses opposing the proposal.

The proposed park - on a former putting green at Ayr Low Green - would combine sensory play and exploration and is intended to provide an accessible space for different generations of people.

However, a public consultation attracted 157 representations, with 47 supporting the proposal and 110 opposing it.

Councillor Alec Clark, the depute leader of South Ayrshire Council insisted that most of the opposition to the plan had been what he called "viewpoints" rather than objections.

The development still requires Sheriff Court approval because it involves a change of use of Common Good land.

South Ayrshire Council's cabinet agreed to progress the attraction but questioned the park's ability to stand up to bad weather, like the recent storms.

Council officer Fiona Ross said the most common concerns raised about the plan related to antisocial behaviour, vandalism and alternative uses for the site.

She added 21 responses referred to the separate diving pool closure discussions - concerning the Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr - also taking place at the time, which may have influenced some views.

Councillor Clark argued a number of the responses were suggestions for other facilities rather than objections to the proposed attraction.

He said: "These are not objections actually to the maze, the dynamic maze, these are viewpoints."

Alongside maze features, the park would include seating, sculptural elements and opportunities for imaginative play and family interaction.

Suggestions made during consultation included crazy golf and a wheeled sports facility or pump track.

Officers pointed out that a commercial crazy golf attraction already operated within walking distance of the new maze, while the council invested £105,000 in extending the skate park at Craigie Park in 2022.

Councillor Hugh Hunter strongly supported the proposal but acknowledged the diving pool decision had influenced some responses.

He said: "I kind of get why people would say you're better spent in the swimming pool because they're hurting and I get that but this is a separate initiative altogether.

"I think it's a fabulous initiative".

However, Hunter raised the concerns around maintenance and resilience of the materials to be used.

Ross said the recent weather demonstrated why the design needed to account for the conditions experienced along the west coast.

She explained that different stretches of coastline faced different pressures.

Prestwick's beach experienced water reaching the sea wall daily, she said, while the beaches at Ayr, Troon and Girvan helped reduce the force of waves.

Officers did not expect the same coastal action to reach the former putting green.

The estimated £400,000 cost would be met through £300,000 from the Ayr Town Centre Projects capital budget and £100,000 of Scottish government play-area funding.

The final cost will only be established through competitive procurement, with future maintenance managed within the existing Neighbourhood Services budget.

Cabinet agreed the recommendations, allowing the council to petition the Sheriff Court.

The court will consider whether the proposed change benefits Ayr's inhabitants, weighing arguments against the development alongside evidence of community support.

Story by Local Democracy Reporting Service reporter Kevin Dyson.