Flood claims surround controversial new Ayrshire pitch bid as decision looms

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The long battle over the creation of an all weather pitch in Girvan's Victory Park could be fought to a conclusion this week.Campaigners have been fighting the new Ayrshire development, claiming it is likely to exacerbate well-documented flooding in and around the park.Supporters, on the other hand, are keen to see Girvan finally get a full size all weather pitch.The application will be considered by South Ayrshire Council Regulatory Panel on Thursday, June 23.It has also been revealed that, should the pitch get the go ahead, it could put at risk the development of a 'flood alleviation scheme'.The council have already relocated the proposed site of the pitch several times.The most recent saw a formal planning application, which would have seen the pitch built along the western edge of the park, being withdrawn.It has now been re-sited at the existing park play area, which itself would need to be relocated if the pitch is given the go ahead.Objectors have insisted the surface water from the park has regularly overwhelmed the drainage and sewer systems down to the Mill Burn - the only outlet for runoff from the park - leading to flooded roads, pavements and gardens.One of the campaigners, Todor Radic of North Park Avenue, asked Scottish Water why they had not been consulted.He wrote: "The current network is unable to cope with the huge volumes of water being directed into the network from the park and surrounding area."As all the water from said area is drained into the burn and once the burn reaches capacity, the water from the park and surrounding streets has nowhere to go, leading to the extensive flooding."However, Scottish Water told Mr Radic that 'there haven't been any reports of flooding to Scottish Water for