A decision to relax rules which have restricted the types of goods sold at Heathfield Retail Park will help turn it from a ‘graveyard to a paradise’, according to one councillor. 

One of the planning conditions set when the retail park opened limited the goods to DIY, gardening, furnishing carpets and electrical products, so it would not take business away from the town centre. 

Last week South Ayrshire Council’s regulatory panel considered an application to loosen the restriction and allow retailers to use 10 percent of floorspace to sell any type of product. 

With the development of a new Marks and Spencer food hall, along with electrical store Maplin, Costa and Greggs, the councillors agreed to amend the conditions for units two to 12. 

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, agent Philip Pritchett, advisor for Ediston Real Estate, which bought the park in 2011, said: “We have been here a few times and have worked very hard. The new M&S is being constructed and will open at Easter.

“My client is looking for some flexibility to allow people to come to Heathfield and get more people to Ayr. We are only talking about two or three units that will be affected by this proposal. There are 18 in total.”

Councillor Bill Grant questioned the impact of the plan on the town centre, warning: “This will have serious implications for the town. It could terminate business for smaller shops in the town.

“The report suggests that this will go against our own people. We need to look at road safety, take everything into consideration and make sure we do the right thing. 

“It is my interpretation that the plans contradict each other and this is not consistent with the Town Centre First policy.”

Mr Pritchard responded: “We are looking to make sure the park keeps complementing the town centre.”

It is speculated that Homebase, which has been operating for 10 years, will close its doors later this year. The Advertiser contacted the company about their position but had received no reply as we went to press.

An application submitted to the council to sell DIY, home furnishings and electrical products alone had already been approved by the panel in October 2015.

While Councillor Grant spoke of his misgivings, Councillor Ian Cavana, was full of enthusiasm for the move. He said: “I do believe that that the Heathfield plan has not been given a chance. 

“It is my view that it will turn the area from a graveyard to a paradise even though I have been mocked for saying that before. It would like to congratulate the officer who says this will not have any affect on the town centre.”

The recommendation to allow units to use up to 5341 square metres for any goods was approved by members of the panel. Cllr Grant abstained the proposal but he was too late and the rejection was overturned by Provost Helen Moonie.