Councillors have approved a controversial planning application for a new ‘glamping’ holiday site at a village in South Ayrshire.

The proposal, which was be considered by South Ayrshire Council’s regulatory panel on Thursday, will see the building of four glamping pods on an agricultural field in Craigie, at the border of South Ayrshire and East Ayrshire.

But neighbours objected, claiming that the proposal would have a negative impact on the landscape, create traffic issues on a poorly maintained private road, increase littering and potentially cause issues with animals in adjacent farmland.

One neighbour also claimed that the plan for a static caravan at the site was a way to ‘get a house’ on the land. However, the caravan was later removed from the application.

Planners had recommended the application be approved.

The location at the county border resulted in the majority of objections coming from residents of neighbouring East Ayrshire.

One objector, William Hunter, questioned the claim in the applicant’s supporting statement, that the development would support the local community.

Mr Hunter said in his submission to the authority: “It is difficult to see how this proposal will bring any benefit to the local community.

"The local pub, The Craigie Inn, has been closed for several years now, and the neighbouring equestrian facility located at High Langcraig Farm, noted repeatedly in the submission, is also in objection to the proposed development.”

Another farmer, Mr Ross McLaughland, complained about the potential impact on his animals.

He said: “We currently keep a flock of rare breed sheep on our land with the aim to continue to increase this flock year-on-year.

"More people brings more animals (dogs), which can be harmful and distressing to sheep particularly during lambing season. With the sheep’s wellbeing essential, we would no longer be able to continue this growth should these plans go ahead.”

Despite the objections, planners told the panel that any issues raised could be addressed by specific conditions.

The report states: “The matters raised in the representations have been fully considered, but do not raise any issues that would merit a different recommendation.

“On balance, the small scale nature of the proposals can be accommodated at the location and is considered to have an acceptable relationship to surrounding land and buildings, and an acceptable impact on the locality.”

A motion by Cllr Alec Clark (Independent, Girvan and South Carrick), seconded by Cllr Martin Kilbride (Conservative, Prestwick), to approve the application was passed by six votes to three.