War of words over pitch plan as flooding fears are disputed

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Campaigners have criticised a flood assessment submitted with the latest planning application for a controversial 3G pitch in Girvan.South Ayrshire Council withdrew the previous application, which had been sited at the edge of Victory Park Road at the west end of the park.The council would not reveal why it pulled the application in December, but campaigners said they had been told by an official involved in the proposal that the flooding and drainage issues had led to the new submission.The new plan sees the pitch relocated to an area currently home to play park equipment.

This site was previously assessed and dismissed and also has regular issues with drainage.Consultants Enviro Centre acknowledge that there is a high risk of 'overtopping' of waterways at Victory Park, but considers other aspects, such as rainfall, a low flood risk.But the campaigners pointed to a claim in the assessment that states there have only been three flooding events since 1998.They said that there has been flooding every year involving 'both the park and the surrounding roads'.It was also pointed out that the on-site assessment was carried out in July 2018 in what was described as 'dry and bright' conditions.The campaigners continued: "The Flood Risk Assessment has been done without any knowledge of the fact that there is just one destination for all of the floodwater-namely, Mill Burn."Once Mill Burn is at capacity it's game over for residents as none of the drains can carry water away from the park and surrounding streets."The report seems to focus solely on the possibility of the burn 'overtopping' its left bank instead of not being able to take the flood water from the drainage system."The assessment also suggests that flooding caused by