The demolition of Douglas Park shelter and toilets has passed the first hurdle after North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet approved the plan. The proposal will now go to the full council for approval.
However, a Largs Community Council meeting had to be briefly suspended last week amid claims that NAC was providing contradictory information about the proposed demolition.
The meeting took place last Thursday at Largs Library where residents from the Bankhouse Avenue area, who previously handed in a petition citing anti-social behaviour and calling for the shelter to be demolished, were in attendance.
At one point in the opening half hour, chairman Douglas Blair suspended the meeting after Councillor Tom Marshall attempted to read out a letter from North Ayrshire chief executive Elma Murray outlining the council’s perspective on the situation. 
However, Mr Blair stated that certain contents of this letter were ‘directly at variance with the information which the CC has received from the applicant’ for the asset transfer of the grounds at Douglas Park. 
The community council, which had voted upon demolition of the shelter at their July meeting, said that in light of the new information, they are now re-examining the situation.
The group have met with representatives of Friends of Douglas Park/Fairlie Growers/Largs Organic Growers who sought an asset transfer of the land at Douglas Park.
The community council have made a freedom of information request to NAC, requesting all documents relating to the condition of the shelter/toilet block, and all correspondence in relation to the asset transfer.
At the NAC Cabinet meeting, Councillor Alex Gallagher said: “I attended the engagement meeting on Friday night and talked to members of the public and members of the Fairlie Growers and the Largs Growers. The Growers were clear to me that they do not wish to have this building as part of the asset transfer. Residents of Bankhouse Avenue who have clearly described the nuisance that the building creates, will be happy to see it gone. The Community Council originally said they would be happy to see the building demolished and then later on they changed their minds. I can’t be expected to change my mind every time the Community Council changes its mind.
“I’m not sure who the Community Council thinks it’s representing in this case. It’s not a clear cut decision that we want this building down, but it will take more than £11,000 to do it up into a useable building. The Community Council was right the first time.”
Councillor Tom Marshall backed the demolition with 80 residents in nearby streets signing a petition on the matter.