Largs & Millport Weekly News | News | Beach protesters' leaflet "full of errors"

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 14th May, 2008 12:00

Beach protesters' leaflet "full of errors"

The ‘Save Pencil Bay’ group have called for North Ayrshire Council to consult residents over the plans - but community councillors say their campaign is “full of errors”.

Speaking at Largs Community Council, local campaigner Tim Cowen expressed his disappointment that the local committee had backed the Scottish Sailing Institute’s plans for a new slipway for sailors in Pencil Bay.

Describing the ‘Save The Pencil’ campaign as a “growing group of residents”, he said: “I know previously the community council had taken the decision to back the development. From the people I have spoken to there was disappointment that there was not consultation over that decision.”

Mr Cowen urged committee members to look at “the other side of the story”, adding: “The feedback I have had from people walking on the beach is that they are not aware of the plans. There is quite a bit of confusion about the plans.”

However, community councillor Tom Marshall said: “It’s fair to say that the community council went to a presentation and we were quite happy with what was proposed.

“My judgement is that the marina is an asset to the town. This whole scheme is a safety issue.”

Mr Marshall then stated that a leaflet published by the ‘Save Pencil Bay’ group was “full of errors”, and cited a statement in it claiming that the proposals would mean a “reduction in income from other forms of tourism” as incorrect.

But Mr Cowen said: “We think there should be a consultation by North Ayrshire Council.”

Defending the community council’s decision to back the plans, Councillor Stewart Sutherland said: “If you have a yachting competition and the wind picks up, as it can in this area, then you have to get these boats out of the water as quickly and as safely as possible. You need a bay that is sheltered - it’s as simple as that.”

Council secretary Douglas Macfarlane stated that the SSI had experienced one regatta where conditions had become dangerous and thought that they did not want a repeat of this.

However, Mr Cowen said: “The beach is used 365 days a year by many residents of Largs. I think there needs to be a balance between the two interests. The plans, as they are, do not represent the interests of residents.”

The group held a public meeting at Clark Memorial Hall, Largs,to muster support for their campaign against the new slipway.

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