Plans to create a wetland reserve on the outskirts of Dalrymple have been given the go ahead by planners.
East 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 Road
Paths 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.
Other objections were either not considered material planning matters or had received no objection from statutory consultees.
It was also stated that the ponds would be a maximum one metre deep ‘and therefore not deep enough for swimming and of an appropriate depth for an adult to perform a wading rescue’.
In addition, the report said, the gradient of the ponds would ‘allow for an easy exit’ and ponds would not connect to any existing body of water.
The planner’s report continued: “In conclusion, the proposed change of use of agricultural land to public open space/wetland reserve is considered to be acceptable.
“The proposed wetland reserve is regarded to be an acceptable use for this site and overall it is not considered that the development will have any overwhelmingly negative impacts on the surrounding area.”
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