Controversial plans to expand Craig Tara Holiday Park have been recommended for approval - despite sparking more than 200 objections from members of the public.

The park's owners, Haven, lodged plans with South Ayrshire Council last year to redevelop a nine-hole golf course on the site, and add an additional 137 caravans in its place.

The proposals sparked a furious response from the public, whose concerns included road safety, anti-social behaviour and the impact on the Heads of Ayr Farm Park next door.

Haven's application will be considered by South Ayrshire councillors next week - and officials from the local authority say the plans should be given the green light.

 The site already contains a total of 1,417 static caravans, as well as sports facilities, entertainment venues, restaurants, bars and retail. 

Ayr Advertiser:

The additional caravans would be split over three levels, and changes are proposed to the main access road into the park to deal with the extra vehicles. 

The new pitches would comprise of 60 caravans measuring 13.4 metres long and 77 caravans measuring 12.19 metres long. 

A total of 223 objections have been received from owners and visitors of Craig Tara, residential properties in South Ayrshire, neighbouring residential and commercial properties, Alloway, Doonfoot and St Leonard Community Council, and the Kyle and Carrick Civic Society. 

Letters of objection have also been received from Heads of Ayr Farm Park, Heads of Ayr Nursery and Laigh Kyleston Farm.

Objectors say that the expansion will "exacerbate existing traffic issues, and accidents and fatalities will increase". 

They cite queuing traffic along Dunure Road at peak times, and vehicles trying to overtake queuing traffic entering the park. 

Critics also say that anti-social behaviour at the park will increase with even more caravans. 

They say that police are called out to the park "excessively" due to anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.

Objectors also say that the park is becoming "too large and overpopulated", and claim that money would be better spent upgrading existing facilities.

Ayr Advertiser: Concerns have been raised over the impact on the welfare of animals at Heads of Ayr Farm ParkConcerns have been raised over the impact on the welfare of animals at Heads of Ayr Farm Park (Image: Newsquest)

Concerns have also been raised, by Heads of Ayr Farm Park and others, over the impact on the welfare of animals at the popular visitor attraction from having caravans located immediately next door.

However, council planners have recommended that the proposals be approved with a number of conditions attached.

Planning documents state: "The proposal is considered to represent an acceptable promotion of tourism and tourist accommodation and an acceptable growth of an existing rural tourism business.

"It is considered that the characteristics and design of the overall site layout of the development will deliver a commensurate extension to the park which will not have an adverse impact on environmental and ecological receptors, on transport and infrastructure, in landscape and visual terms or in terms of the amenity of residential properties or neighbouring land uses."

The application will be considered by SAC's regulatory panel for planning at a public meeting on Wednesday, February 28.