Opinions have been split over plans to build a nursery in historic woodlands in the heart of Mauchline.
The 'woodland' nursery, which would have capacity for 64 children over two daily sessions, is being touted for woods to the north of Loudoun Street Car Park.
The woods were once part of Nether Place Mansion House, built in 1620.
The majority of objectors live nearby and were critical of a number of aspects, including the loss of woodland, the pressure on parking, noise and traffic congestions.
A report to East Ayrshire Council's Planning Committee states: "The woods were planted as parkland with specimen trees, seen in photographs from the 1920s.
"The mansion house was located on the grounds of what is now Nether Walk, Nether Walk being built in the mid 1970s."
The nursery itself would be built north of existing homes on Nether Walk and south of Netherplace. The applicant's agent says that their client also owns the woodlands to the west of the proposed site, with Tree Preservation Orders across both areas.
The nursery buildings and outdoor area are proposed to the rear of nos. 21 and 23 Nether Walk. With an existing path to the woods proposed for the site vehicle access.
The proposed nursery comprises four separate single storey buildings including classrooms, kitchen and staff rooms.
Others driving to the nursery would be expected to use the Loudoun Street Car Park.
The applicants had originally claimed that Loudoun Street Car Park was big enough to accommodate nursery users.
However, at that point they claimed that there was room for 45 cars. A survey of the car park had been carried out in January.
The survey claimed that there would be up 38 spaces free for the nursery morning drop off time of 8am to 8.30am and up to 28 spaces at the pick-up time of 5.30pm to 6pm.
However, there was no indication of the drop off and pick up times at the start and end of the morning and afternoon sessions.
According to the application, the nursery would need 22 additional spaces, and said that this showed this could be achieved.
Ayrshire Roads Alliance had accepted this assertion.
However, the planning report stated: "A change-over of sessions around lunchtime would however prove more challenging, as this would be likely to result in an overlap of pick up and drop off demand.
"From a traffic perspective, the main concern would be an increase in on-street parking demands on Nether Walk and East Park Avenue as parents/guardians seek to park as close as possible."
However, one objector hit out at the figures supplied by the applicant, saying that, excluding two charging bays and two disabled bay, there were only 33 spaces available in total.
This changes the picture when it comes to coping with the extra 22 spaces required.
The assessment of 38 additional spaces in the morning and up to 28 spaces in the evening becomes 28 and 13 available spaces respectively.
Using the applicant's figures, there were between 16 and 31 spaces free between 9.30am and 4pm. The objector's figures indicate that this would actually be between four and 19 spaces.
They said: "The car park is at capacity most of the day and cannot cater for the estimated additional 22 spaces."
The objector added that the findings within the report were 'over-exaggerated to benefit the application only'.
Ayrshire Roads Alliance did not question the numbers given by the objector and the report simply stated: "ARA have noted they have no objections to the proposal.
"The ethos of the proposal is to encourage parents to travel sustainably to the nursery."
Another objector took issue with this aspect. They said: "The notion that foregoing parking facilities to encourage walking, cycling and public transport is not realistic, especially in the winter for nursery aged children."
Another argued that a one day study of the car park in January was not representative of its usage.
There were more supporting statements than objections, although these were general rather than specific.
They included: "I believe this would be an excellent addition to the village and community. Making good use of the woodland, giving it a purpose away from a drinking zone for youths.
Another said: "With the amount of new houses being built and families moving to the village, the local school /nursery already can't cope. I think this is a great idea and well needed."
The Planning Committee will consider the proposal on Friday, June 23.
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