Flats plan near Prestwick Golf Club rejected

Ashleigh (Scotland) Ltd had sought to develop 40 flats within four blocks at the former Malcolm Sargent House on Links Road.

The apartments were to be 3.5 storeys in height, with a mix of two, three and four bedrooms – with penthouse apartments having their own balconies.

Car parking space for 50 vehicles would also have been provided.

The former Malcolm Sargent House provided a retreat for children battling cancer for more than 25 years and was opened by Princess Diana in 1989. It was sold in 2017 by owners CLIC Sargent after claims of a “challenging fundraising environment”.

Four objections to the proposals were lodged, with concerns raised including the appropriateness of the development, road safety concerns, loss of privacy and light, and noise/smell concerns.

In making their decision, planners acknowledged that the development was considered to “respect the character and appearance of surrounding residential properties”.

However, South Ayrshire Council officials rejected the application due to a lack of affordable housing as part of the development.

They said: “The development does not include affordable housing on-site and it is not considered that the application submission has demonstrated through a robust analysis that the inclusion of affordable housing would render the proposal unviable.

“As such, insufficient evidence has been provided to justify a reduction, or in this instance the absence, of affordable housing on-site.”