A ‘kickabout’ pitch promised as part of a housing plan off Dunure Road in Ayr is being recommended for approval despite worries over children’s safety.

Planners have advised councillors to give the go ahead to the application by MacTaggart and Mickel Homes when it goes before them on November 11.

The new pitch would be an informal games area for local kids, but would not be fenced off.

This led one objector to raised concerns about children using the pitch so close to the road as well as the potential risk from balls hitting cars and property.

They said: “I am delighted to see green space and play areas being progressed. However, on this occasion I fear that the area not being fenced will risk property and cars being damaged by footballs and more importantly a child being injured when running onto road trying to retrieve a ball.”

Another argued that there should be safety fencing to prevent young people running out into the road.

The lack of bins was also raised, with on resident worried about littering around the area.

Planners responded, saying that any damage would have to be dealt with as a civil matter, while there had been no objection to the location by Ayrshire Roads Alliance.

The report also states that the management, maintenance and provision of litter bins would be the responsibility of the developers, as they were not planning matters.

It also noted that individuals were responsible for their own litter.

There were also three supporting letters sent to the council.

The recommendation will be considered by the Regulatory Panel on November 11.