JUBILANT campaigners in Muirhead say they have been given the "perfect Christmas present" after winning their 14-month-long fight to save a vital local facility.
At the full South Ayrshire Council meeting last Wednesday, councillors decisively voted to support the Leadership Panel's decision to refuse the application for a Community Asset Transfer of Muirhead Activity Centre to Dundonald Gymnastics Club.
In all 18 voted for the motion, with six supporting the Audit and Governance Panel's decision to approve the proposal and one abstention.
Ecstatic Muirhead Tenants and Residents' Association chairwoman Frances Carson hailed the news.
Speaking minutes after the decision she said: "You could say this is the perfect Christmas present for the people of Muirhead.
"We were able to tell people attending our Christmas party on Saturday that there should be another one here next year. I must thank the four Councillors, Philip Saxton, Peter Convery, Craig Mackay and Bob Pollok for supporting us. This is as victory for the people of Muirhead and hopefully we can now get on with the business of running the Activity Centre.
"There's an option for an appeal to the Scottish Government against the decision but hopefully that won't happen as you can see that people didn't support the community asset transfer (CAT). The Scottish Government legislation is too rigid and needs looked at. CAT's should be for buildings which need regeneration not popular community facilities."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article