A former community councillor has claimed that new sailing facilities planned for Pencil Bay will have no economic benefit for the town - but current members say there are 'no arguments' over the potentially huge gain for local businesses.

Speaking at the community council at Moorburn Chambers, Margaret Brown - who left the local committee last year - told the Scottish Sailing Institute"s John Ridley: 'You are taking away one of the natural beauties of Largs.' She also claimed that visiting sailors 'rarely venture down to Largs' to spend money and boost the local economy, preferring to stay in their own tents and caravans at Largs Yacht Haven.

In the southeast corner of Pencil Bay, the Sailing Institute are proposing to infill an area leading from the current shore path seawards, and provide a perforated concrete block ramp, which they say grass can grow through allowing it to blend with the shoreline.

The SSI believe the plans - which recently sparked a local campaign to "Save Pencil Bay" - could bring around �1 million per year into the town and attract Olympic and World Championship level events.

The "News" now also understands that several local businesses are set to put together a marketing plan in a bid to capitalise on the proposals.

However, Mrs Brown commented: 'I wonder if the community council can tell me why they voted in favour of the plans at the slipway?' Councillor Stewart Sutherland replied: 'Tom (Marshall) and myself went along to the SSI. They outlined exactly what they were going to do - everything was discussed. They were up front and had nothing to hide.

'Part of the Pencil Bay they are taking is a rocky area that nobody disagrees with.' Mrs Brown said: 'I take issue with you there.' But Mr Sutherland continued: 'If you take into consideration that it"s a viable part of Largs, it"s a corner that"s not used. I think it will enhance the bay.' Mrs Brown then asked: 'What does it bring to Largs?' Mr Sutherland replied that they had been shown independent figures stating that, when taking part in regattas at the marina, sailors spent an average of �55 per head with obvious benefits for the local economy.

However, Mrs Brown stated: 'They come for the regattas four times a year - they spend their time on the water. They very rarely venture down to Largs. You can"t say they spend money in Largs because they don"t. Most of them bring tents and caravans.

'I live in that part of the town. I remember when it used to be opposite the Elderslie Hotel - the whole of that grass area was covered in cars and trailers.' Mr Marshall said: 'In terms of the tourism trade, we gain a huge amount of business from these people. A lot of money is spent in eating establishments and places like that.

'The Sailing Institute brings a lot of money into Largs. There are no arguments.' Mrs Brown then suggested that the proposed slipway could instead be sited 'right next to the car park area'.

But Mr Ridley replied: 'We do not want to take away access to the car park.' Mr Ridley told the community council that there was 'no committal of funding in place' for the scheme, adding that the Institute had concerns over the hosting of future sailing events after citing 'safety' issues with their current facilities.

Councillor Douglas Macfarlane said: 'You also assured us that there would be no vehicles going down there.' Mr Ridley agreed that this was the case.

North Ayrshire Council"s planning committee are due to look at the proposals.

The SSI will be hosting an open meeting at Largs Library where they will be discussing their plans on Tuesday, 8th April between 6-7pm.