dan theman says

"Local residents attending the meeting advised of numerous instances of disorder around the Milton Scheme area in particular, as well are other areas of the town, and felt that the police were failing to take effective action as well as being slow to respond to incidents reported to the 'call centre'. It was felt that with no direct access by phone to the local police station, that the police are becoming remote from the community and that local residents are losing faith in the police and their ability to respond to incidents that are reported to them."

Supposedly extra police but none respond. Something doesn't add up.

Irvin Clifford says

Hey Dan, too true bud, was in the same situation myself 2 years ago, after the first half dozen calls to the police they suddenly stopped attending, something somewhere is wrong isn't it???

Derek Clarkson says

Planning Application A retrospective planning application has been submitted by the garage in Bridgend. Although no objections were raised, it was felt that conditions should be applied as vehicles are currently being parked on the pavement.

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Can someone tell me what planning conditions should be applied to someone starting a business in the town that could generate income / jobs?

Should the condition be that he can only sell fish / chips / curry / kebabs / pizza etc etc?

liam muir says

Long time till the next meeting.

Irvin Clifford says

Derek basically comes down to the fact that the garage has blocked the pavement for a few days at a time and Liam the gap to the next meeting is to cover the school summer holidays and the various holidays any of the community councillors take.

Elizabeth Kelly says

If the garage at Bridgend has to rethink its parking strategy, then I would expect the inconsiderate car owners elsewhere to be penalised also. As a mother of two, I am finding it extremely annoying (and dangerous) when I have to take my pram on the road to get get past cars. I'm sure wheelchair users will feel the same!

Iain Walker says

First of all, I'd like to address the questions raised by Derek. While I take your point regarding the abundance of 'take-aways' in the town, if you had been at the meeting you would have heard that the Community Council were in favour of the new garage. The main issue was that cars were parked on the pavement blocking the movement of pedestrians. The Community Council do not wish to block commercial developments, only to ensure that such developments are not to the detriment of others.

Secondly on the point by Liam. The Community Council always have a break during July and August, however, the Community Councillors continue to deal with issues and represent the people of the town. Since the last meeting on 15th June, I have attended meetings, or dealt with business arising on about six occasions. This is on top of having a full time job. Can I just remind Liam, that Community Councillors are volunteers and receive no payment. We all do this willingly for the benefit of the community.

Finally Liz, I and others have continually complained to the police regarding the illegal parking of vehicles on pavements but nothing has been done. The points made to the police were exactly as you say, with regard to prams and wheelchairs etc. having to go onto the roadways because of ignorant and selfish drivers.

Derek Clarkson says

It hardly makes sense then to force a new small business to go through the time and expense of preparing and submitting a planning application, only for the council to impose conditions that they cannot / will not enforce given that nothing has been done about the historical issues on Main Street!

Irvin Clifford says

Hey Derek,
Just read this on the cooncil planning minutes from yesterday about the garage, interesting read:

4.2 09/00245/PP: Kilbirnie: 3 Bridgend

William Madden, 102 Greenock Road, Largs, has applied for retrospective planning permission for a proposed change of use from storage/garage to form a car repair garage at 3 Bridgend, Kilbirnie. 2 representations have been received, as detailed in the report.

The Committee, having considered the terms of the objections, agreed to (a) refuse the application on the following grounds:-

1. That the proposed use of the building and site for a car repair business, would not comply with criterion(d) of the adopted North Ayrshire Local Plan (excluding Isle of Arran) in that the development would have a detrimental impact on the adjacent road network as any vehicles entering and exiting the site cannot do so safely and queuing vehicles would interfere with the operational aspects of the traffic signals.

2. That the proposed use of the building and site for a car repair business, would be would not accord with criterion(1) of Policy TC1 of the adopted North Ayrshire Local Plan (excluding Isle of Arran) in that a Class 5 use would detract from the retail and town centre function of the area.

3. That the proposed use of the building and site for a car repair business, would not satisfy criteria (a),(b)and (c) in Policy A1 in that there is no proven need, alternative sites exist and the use would not be fully compatible with and sympathetic to the surrounding area

and (b) proceed with Enforcement Action to require the cessation of the unauthorised use.

Derek Clarkson says

I just hope that whoever initially raised this as a concern and forced a planning application to be submitted are well pleased with themselves now that they have effectively forced a local business to shut down!

Gaye Taylor says

I am appalled!!

Local residents will remember when this unit was a Council Garage. The yellow box rule 174 of the Highway Code Is there for a reason!!

I am also saddened that this opportunity for a local business providing a valuable service to the Community may be in jeopardy.

Guest User says

Cars parked on the pavement at Bridge St. were nothing to do with the garage.

Concerned residents should have taken their numbers and reported them to the police or simply asked at the garage.

Derek Clarkson says

Perhaps someone from the Community Council can explain why this has arisen?

Who has complained?

What was the nature of the complaint?

It seems in Kilbirnie it is perfectly acceptable to have our Main Street littered with fast food carry out shops (with cars parked anywhere they want), it is also acceptable to have a pub on the other side of the garage on Bridge Street with all the associated aggro that brings, but you cannot have a legitimate small business ran by a local person providing a local service!

Too many busy bodies with nothing better to do!

Kilbirnie Resident says

Totally agree with the last comment from Mr Clarkson, there are too many people in this town with little to do with their time but complain!

Personally I would have hoped that Kilbirnie residents would have been pleased to see something positive happening in the town rather that empty buildings, people should start thinking before they put their views accross, I'm sure if they actually took the time to go into the garage and speak to the owners they would be more than happy to listen to their concerns.