South Ayrshire Council has approved plans for a £400,000 sensory maze park on Ayr seafront, despite more than two-thirds of consultation responses opposing the proposal. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting, with depute leader Councillor Alec Clark insisting that most of the opposition consisted of viewpoints rather than objections.
Consultation results and concerns
A public consultation on the plans for the former putting green at Ayr Low Green attracted 157 representations, with 47 supporting the proposal and 110 opposing it. Presenting the findings, officer Fiona Ross said the most common concerns related to antisocial behaviour, vandalism and alternative uses for the site.
She added that 21 responses referred to the separate diving pool closure discussions taking place at the time, which may have influenced some views.
Councillor defends project
Councillor Clark argued that 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.”
He added: “I take cognisance of the views, which to me are not objections but viewpoints.”
The proposed park would combine sensory play and exploration, with colour, texture, sound and planting intended to create an accessible space for different generations. Alongside maze features, it would include seating, sculptural elements and opportunities for imaginative play and family interaction.
Alternative suggestions and maintenance concerns
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, while the council invested £105,000 in extending the skate park at Craigie Park in 2022.
Councillor Hugh Hunter strongly supported the proposal, acknowledging that 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, it was Cllr Hunter who raised the concerns around maintenance and resilience of the materials to be used. He referred to damage involving stone filled gabion baskets at Newton Shore in Ayr with stones being carried towards Prestwick Beach.
Ms Ross said the recent weather demonstrated why the design needed to account for the conditions experienced along the west coast. She said: “I think that the weather conditions that we’ve experienced over the past few days show that we do require to take cognisance of the fact that anything that we place on our shorefronts has to have the robustness to cope with westerly gales.”
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.
Funding and next steps
Councillor Chris Cullen asked how the attraction would connect with the bandstand and other features along the Esplanade. Ms Ross said officers were coordinating materials and planting with the bandstand project to create continuity along the shorefront.
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 need to consider whether the proposed change benefits Ayr’s inhabitants, weighing arguments against the development alongside evidence of community support.
