DESPITE objections, Straid Farm near Lendalfoot will operate as a landfill site for a further 10 years.

The decision was made at a South Ayrshire Council Regulatory Panel meeting last week to allow the site to operate until 2023 after listening to the concerns from protester Patrick Andrews.

Straid Farm sits 10km South of Girvan and 3km North of Lendal Foot and has already completed three years of its 10-year contract which was only confirmed last Thursday, June 2.

Speaking to the panel Patrick Andrews said: "This application is something of a Trojan. The application wanted to secure another 10 years for the site without environmental scrutiny. 

"I would remind the panel that the application was submitted in 2013. South Ayrshire Council does not deliver waste to the site. Waste delivered to the site is from Northern Ireland and some is taken from South Ayrshire to Ireland."

The landfill operates from Monday to Saturday from 8am until 9pm. Concerns were also raised about the 40 tonne HGV lorries which park overnight at the Varyag memorial at Lendalfoot. 

The memorial was set up with the Russians after a Russian ship ran aground on the Ayrshire coast over 85 years ago. 

Mr Andrews continued: "They take up most of the site and when they can't they park on the pavement causing damage and significant similar problems."

Planning was originally granted for the site in the 90s and continued in April 2003. The new application was submitted in April 2013 but only brought before the panel last week which means it will run for another 7 years.

At the meeting Cllr Ian Cavana said: "I am a wee bit worried about the situation in this area, is SEPA involved? The gentleman has been talking about lorries parking there and I want to know what the implications are from SEPA especially if they are parking in front of a historical memorial site."

He was informed that SEPA have no objections.

Cllr Ian Douglas commented: "This situation is impacting the environment and this is something I am not happy about. I am also not happy to hear that our rubbish may or may not be going to Northern Ireland. 

Cllr Canvana added: "I find it disturbing that our lorries are sitting with waste overnight."

After a five minute recess the panel decided to pass the application report.