South Ayrshire Council say that the location of a potential designated area to support gypsy/traveller accommodation has not yet been selected.

It was decided at a Leadership Panel meeting of the council in June that a “working group should start work to identify and consider potentially suitable sites to provide a designated area to support and accommodate Gypsy/ Traveller encampments in South Ayrshire.”

The council did so on the back of a an action plan brought by the Scottish Government and COSLA entitled ‘Improving the Lives of Scotland’s Gypsy/ Travellers (2019–2021)’. Part of the plan is to provide more and better accommodation.

Rumours had been circling that Cockhill Farm was to be chosen as a location for a designated area, but the council have not confirmed this. They maintain that no site has been chosen as of yet.

A council spokesperson said: “No decision has been taken by the Council on a designated area to support and accommodate Gypsy/ Traveller encampments.”

More may be revealed next month as the Leadership Panel is to be updated again on the progress of the working group’s search. The meeting is to take place on November 23.