A controversial holiday park plan that has attracted more than 570 objections will be recommended for refusal when it goes before councillors next week.

The application seeks to create pitches for 174 holiday lodge style caravans and two pitches for staff caravans at a site north of Coylton.

A total of 41 would accommodate twin unit style caravans, with the remaining pitches for single unit style caravans.

Objectors said that access would be via unsuitable residential streets, which would struggle to cope with the number of visitors and the delivery of caravans.

Planners have accepted a number of these objections despite the developer proposing mitigation measures.

These include alterations to the road network at Barclaugh Drive and Woodhead Road, formalising the existing on-street parking, introducing a designated priority one-way working system with relevant signage and give-way markings, and introducing a 20mph limit on Barclaugh Drive and Woodhead Road.

They also sought to use the space outside driveways as 'passing places' for vehicles.

A report by planning officers to be heard by South Ayrshire Council’s Regulatory Panel states: "Over 500 objections (including from Coylton Community Council) and a petition with over 200 signatures have been received."

These cover various aspects of the plan, including the road network, environmental impact, amenity for neighbouring properties, landscape impact and impact on the local community.

There are only nine supporting comments.

Many of the objections relating to the roads were acknowledged by the council, with the Ayrshire Roads Alliance objecting due to the unsuitability of the proposed access route to serve the development.

There were also objections around the environmental impact, residential amenity, and drainage/flooding issues.

While it was accepted that the applicant had made attempts to address the issues around the road access, the report states: "The proposed access route is considered unsuitable for a development of this type and scale and the applicant has been unable to overcome these issues."

Objections were raised regarding the unsuitability of the access route from Barclaugh Drive/Woodhead Road and the B742 for caravan deliveries, increased traffic potentially causing road and pedestrian safety issues, and the inadequacy of Barclaugh Drive, as suggested improvements imply its current unsuitability. 

Additionally, it is argued that the proposal for extra parking spaces on Woodhead Road will likely lead to parking on both sides of the road, exacerbating the situation.

Planners concluded: "It is considered that the proposal cannot be considered positively against the terms of the aforementioned documents as the proposed access route is considered unsuitable for a development of this type and scale and the applicant has been unable to overcome these issues.

"It is therefore recommended that this application for planning permission be refused."

South Ayrshire Council Regulatory Panel will consider the application on Thursday, February 1.