Wetlands reserve attraction set for outskirts of Ayrshire village

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Plans to create a wetland reserve on the outskirts of Dalrymple have been given the go ahead by planners.South Ayrshire officials approved the application, which will turn fields north west of the village into public open space/wetland reserve, together with ponds, viewing platform, footpaths and fences.The site is currently used for grazing.Access to the reserve will be via entrances at Hillview and Forglen RoadPaths around the space would be in a ‘circular formation’ surrounded by a mixture of meadow and woodland/scrub planting.Three ponds would be created within the area, together with seating and a timber deck/dipping platform that will be accessible to the public.A 2.7m timber and wire deer fence would enclose the entire reserve.

Access would be maintained by keeping the reserve boundary five metres from the Purclewan Burn.Seven objections were submitted to East Ayrshire Council’s planners.These include the site being on a floodplain, an increase in traffic in area already busy due to the primary school, no parking provision, antisocial behaviour and safety around the ponds.One objection said that the project would affect residents’ mental health as ‘we are not used to or need kids roaming about at all hours’.However, planners said that there was no indication that the site would attract youths and indicated that issues could be addressed by adding conditions to planning permission.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The