THE TEAM behind the Malcolm Sargent House campaign believe they have found the perfect spot for their new holiday home on Ayr’s Cunning Park.

A location for the new beach house has been chosen to offer the best possible position for visiting families to enjoy the beach, the sea and all the attractions of Ayrshire. 

In looking to locate a facility for children and young people suffering with cancer and life altering illnesses, they say the proposed spot will allow families to access the beach, Rozelle, Belleisle and the Heads of Ayr Farm Park.

The Ayrshire Holiday Dreams Foundation - the charity behind the new Malcolm Sargent House has acquired land on Cunning Park at the seaside.

This has still to be approved by the appropriate council board following the local election. 

Ayr Advertiser:

Charity CEO Maxine Allan confirmed that after scouring the length and breadth of Ayrshire the Charity Trustees chose a new build site at Cunning Park in Ayr. 

She said: “The charity has plans for a modern state of the art, user friendly home made of healthy materials which will have lower running costs than the previous home.

“One of the attractions of the old site at Prestwick was that it was at the seaside and the children and their families enjoyed the holiday atmosphere for their respite breaks. 

“The seaside location proved to offer much needed therapy for the families. It has been extremely difficult to find a comparable ideal location and we believe that we have located a perfect site with pedestrian access to the beach.”

Chairman of the Charity Nigel Martin thanked the local community for their enthusiasm and support of the new venture. With their continued support we hope to offer the families of children with terminal illness a quality environment to enjoy important leisure time together.

The current proposal is 4 x 2 bedroom apartments and 2 x 3 bedroom apartments annexed to a main building with offices, dining, kitchen and laundry facilities as well as lounges and areas for toddlers and teenagers.

There will also be therapeutic relaxation rooms. An application for planning permission will be made shortly.

But not everyone is enthusiastic about the proposals which was discussed as a Fort, Seafield and Wallacetown Community Council.

The proposed location is a wildlife site and members feel that this type of proposal could be very emotive. Community Councillors are keen for another seafront location to be secured.

Phil Martin stressed that Cunning Park is open space and a precedent cannot be risked, if a hospice is allowed. 
This could lead to other developers wanting to build. 

When the plans are submitted to the council’s planning department those who are concerned will be able to formally object and raise concerns.