SOUTH Ayrshire Council has ended a long discussion by approving the new allotments site at North Park in Ayr.

The new site, which was proposed following strong objection to the original site at Gower Place in South Ayr will take over the playing fields which has been used primarily for football in the area and will act as an extension to the existing allotments.

The proposal for new allotments was proposed and approved back in August, 2013 however, with strong opposition to the site in Gower Place it has taken three years to get the third site up and running and this all came to an end with South Ayrshire Council passing the approval at the latest Leadership Panel.

The new allotment facility at North Park that will provide 56 new allotment plots. 

Councillor Bill McIntosh who chaired the meeting said: "I think we are all delighted to finally get this underway."

Councillor John McDowell also added his happiness at some resolution. He said: "I am absolutely delighted. It has been quite a journey. Delighted to see it coming forward."

However, Councillor Bill Grant asked Mike Newell, Head of Neighbourhood Services what the council could do in regards to people not keeping up with the upkeep of their plots in allotments.

Mike Newell said: "The rules on this weren't changed but due to a new act from Government, we will be able to change rules to allow us to make sure people are keeping up with the condition of their plots."

The proposed North Allotment facility development costs will be met with a budget £43,000.