RESIDENTS next to a much-loved and much-used Cumnock green space say it will be DEVASTATING if housing is developed on the site.

This week enraged locals next to the 'Biggie’, adjacent to Glengyron Avenue, launched a campaign to block East Ayrshire Council proposals to build there.

They leaped into action after council workers arrived to test the land for its suitability.

And while the council says nothing has been decided, locals are ready for a battle.

A petition is being drawn up, which they say EVERYONE locally will support, as they look to ensure the area remains untouched.

Tam Walker said: “It is not what they do with the land. It doesn’t matter that it’s housing. It’s just the fact that they will take away this green space.

“Kids love it - it’s in full view of all the houses and we can watch our kids play safely there.

“And everyone looks out for everyone else if there are any problems. This field has been here for as long as I’ve been here, which is over 50 years, and they are talking about an important part our history.

“If they need to build affordable housing, which I am not against, then surely they could find somewhere else.

“Take this park away and the nearest place for the kids is Woodroad Park. We can’t let this happen.” Tam and fellow campaigners say they have bombarded the Council with questions but have failed to receive straightforward answers.

He added: “They are ducking and diving and not telling us anything. It is really worrying.” Council chiefs first announced plans to consider the site earlier this year as part of their Strategic Housing Improvement Programme.

The investigations into the land’s viabilty will cost around £15,000 and tests are set to continue this week.

Local mum Anne Jones added: “It would be devastating if they used the land for housing. I can’t emphasis that enough.

“People bought their houses because they backed on to this open space and were told they would never build on it. They have completely broken this promise if they go ahead.” It’s unlikely EAC would build on the whole site but Anne says that is irrelevant.

She added: “If they build one house that will just be the start and we will eventually lose the lot.

“It’s vital to keep it for the kids.” David McDowall, Operations Manager, Building Standards and Development Management at East Ayrshire Council, said: “The Council’s contractors are carrying out preliminary site investigation works at Glengyron Avenue to determine the viability of this site for partial development for housing as part of our Strategic Housing Improvement Programme.

“These are preliminary site investigation (SI) works to determine the ground conditions of the potential development area. Following this SI work any future development will require to be subject to both a planning application and building warrant. Neighbour notification will be carried out at that time following standard planning procedures.”