Meeting of Stakeholders – Belleisle Park

27stSeptember 2012

Prestwick Committee Room, County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr

In attendance:

Organisation / Representative
1. / Friends of Belleisle & Fort, Seafield & Wallacetown CC / Norman McLean; Olena Stewart
2. / Friends of the Belleisle / Winnie Sloan
3. / Belleisle Conservatory Ltd. / Gordon Wilson / David Moulds / Pat Lorrimer
4. / Alloway & Doonfoot CC / Ruth Bowbeer
5. / David Ferguson / Thomson McCrea (Campbell’s Inn)
6. / South Ayrshire Council / Cllr Bill Grant
7. / Ayrshire South Guides / Janis Meradith
8. / Early Learning / Sarah Pye
9. / Kyle & Carrick Civic Society / Dympna Gardiner
10. / Ayr Photographic Club / Robert Collie
11. / Kyle & Carrick District Scouts / Robert McIntyre
12. / Peter Dudney / Garden History Society
13. / CfP Consultants / Mike Anderson
13. / South Ayrshire Council / Jim McQuillan (Head of Property and Neighbourhood Services) / Lorna Jarvie ( Sustainable Development Policy Officer) / Fiona Ross (Environment Strategy Officer); Bill Grey (Manager – Project Planning & Performance); Thea Petticrew (Grounds & Street Services Coordinator)

Apologies:

Organisation / Representative
1. / CTV / Julie Grant / Sandra Sussman- Bryden
2. / VASA / Marie Olliver
3. / SWT / Robbie Mann
4. / RSPB / Ronnie Coombs

Notes of Meeting

  1. Introductions

Jim McQuillan welcomed all to this the second stakeholders meeting.

  1. Notes of Last Meeting

Notes of last meeting were considered, matters arising considered and all agreed notes to be a fair representation of the meeting.

  1. General Update

Jim McQuillan provided an update on progress of projects relating to Belleisle Estate. Belleisle House has now been formally sold to Campbell’s Inn and the new owners have ambitious plans for the property. The 1st phase of the works is to stabilise and secure the building – including repair work to the roofing and basement. Campbell’s Inns is seeking consent to demolish the function suite and Jim McQuillan’s understanding is that the development stage will occur in two phases. The 1st to develop the existing building and the 2nd for an extension and spa – all proposals will require to go through the formal planning process which will include opportunity for public comments though this formal channel.

Jim McQuillan suggested asking the new owners to the next meeting to further inform the group of proposals and development of the property. All Agreed

J.McQuillan

David Ferguson informed group that consents have been granted for the demolition works.

In relation to the Heritage Lottery Bid Jim McQuillan was able to inform the group that after a formal tender process a consultant has been appointed to assist in the development of the plans necessary for the bid submission due next August. The successful bidder was Ironside Farrar.

Norman McLean presented an update from Friends of Belleisle (FoB). The group has been working with South Ayrshire Council to have the Deer Park declared a Queen Elizabeth II Field, this would permanently protecting this outdoor recreational space. The FoB will then seek funding to continue the presence of deer in the park (feed & health care costs).

FoB are encouraged to see work commence on the Hotel and recognize that the building is a key element of the estate and as such wish Campbell Inn’s every success.

Gordon Wilson of Belleisle Conservatory Ltd (BC Ltd.) was happy to announce that the Open Doors and Fun Day Event were very successful with approximately 1400 visitors over the two days. The group has leased the pets corner and are currently working with Ayr College students re: clearing and developing the site. An events programme is currently being worked up by BC Ltd. and is happy to liaise with the South Ayrshire Council in relation to an events calendar for 2013.

The Conservatory Group are in the process of appointing consultants to progress their plans for the conservatory from option appraisal, business plan and funding applications and would be keen to speakabout this withthe consultants appointed by South Ayrshire Council.

Cllr. Grant offered his appreciation to the Conservatory Group for coordinatingthe Open Doors and Fun Day Event.

  1. Events Calendar

Fiona Ross (FR) informed group of what events have and are planned for 2012 which includes work by the West of Scotland Agricultural Students which will provide additional environmental data relating to the site as well as a learning opportunity to the students.

In relation to 2013 FR has been in contact with many of the stakeholders and has started to develop a calendar with confirmed events (appendix 1). The challenge is to get a range of events and activities to ensure that we increase the demographic of the visitors to the Estate.

FR is keen to hear from other stakeholders who may have an event that they wish to run; an opportunity to increase membership or simply raise the profile of their organization. When considering an event groups may wish to consider national weeks (appendix 2) to link in with them e.g. Biodiversity Week and a walk by Scottish Wildlife Trust; Volunteer Week – a Conservation Volunteer run event.

Topic was opened up to the floor for suggestions of other events and organisations to contact:-

  • Supporting Local Food Growers – Cookery / BBQ event
  • Ayr Sketch Club
  • Ayr Arts Guild
  • Campbell’s Inns
  1. Introduction of Consultants

As mentioned previously South Ayrshire Council has now appointed a consultant to assist in the development of the HLF bid. Unfortunately a representative of Ironside Farrar was unable to attend today’s meeting but they have sent a presentation which was introduced by Lorna Jarvie. The presentation provided information on:-

  • The consultancy team
  • Their role;
  • Their track record in relation to similar projects;
  • The aims & objectives for design development

While Ironside Farrar were unable to be represented Mike Anderson of CFT (sub-contractor to Ironside Farrar) who will be heading up the Training and Education Plan and the Activity Plan was in attendance. Jim McQuillan emphasised that while the physical works is often what people see and focus on the infrastructure is only one component to a successful bid. The Activity and Education plans are key and will ultimately lead to a sustainable park – one that people use and visit regularly for a range of activities.

Ironside Farrar are organising a consultation event on 1st November from 3-8pm at the Alloway Library Lifelong Learning Room. Participants will be asked about the Park's strengths, weaknesses and what possible opportunities they feel exist for the area. Key discussion points around the range of facilities available within the Park will allow prioritisation of potentialworks.All of the feedback will be recorded and will be crucial in shaping the development of future plans. An events calendar is being developed to support the project and build momentum. There will be a further 2 consultation events as the development of the bid progresses.

Mike Anderson offered some background to CfP to the work that they have done in the past, what has to be provided in an Activity Plan and how CfP will link with and liaise with stakeholders.

  1. Counter Data

The stakeholders were informed that 3 pedestrian counters were installed in early June and the first quarter data has been downloaded:

It is clear to see that the open Door / Fun Day weekend in September drew a lot of visitors to the estate.

  1. Belleisle and Seafield Golf

Jim McQuillan invited Bill Gray, Manager (Project Planning and Performance), withinthe Children and Community Directorate to update the group on issues surrounding the Golf Clubhouse.

As most will be aware the Golf Clubhouse is currently located within Belleisle House and that as the sale of the property is now complete the premises must be vacated by December 2012.

Bill Gray has been meeting with the 4 clubs and the golf professional that are accommodated within Belleisle House to keep them abreast of the situation and to work on a way forward. Currently the Council is looking at a range of options for short, medium and long term solutions and it is anticipated that a paper will be taken to Council in the near future.

  1. AOB

Question of the Transport Strategy was raised. Jim McQuillan confirmed that this document was now complete, a summary for stakeholders has been produced. (appendix 4). Should people wish to view the full technical assessment please contact Fiona Ross; while the strategy is not out to consultation in terms of changing the assessment as it is a technical assessment, if individuals, groups or organisations do have thoughts, views, comments on how the findings are appliedthen these can be tabled through the wider consultation for the preparation of the bid.

  1. Next Steps

Action / Action By
1. / Campbell’s Inns to be invited to the next meeting / ALL
2. / Representatives to discuss with their group the potential events they may wish to hold over 2013 where they could use Belleisle as a venue and report back / ALL
3. / Time and venue for next stakeholder meeting to be confirmed / FR