“THEY need to listen to what we are saying”.

That was the unanimous view of Irvine residents who turned out in force to have their voices heard on plans for a new leisure complex in the town’s Quarry Road.

There was barely an empty seat at the Vineburgh Community Centre last Wednesday (August 12), as angry residents made their views known about North Ayrshire Council’s supposed lack of consultation about the plans.

The Times first revealed how, in line with the Vision for Irvine proposal, the council are looking to spend over £5m on developing a 3G football arena (similar to that in Glasgow’s Toryglen) and a new business centre.

NAC hope the development will bring 60,000 visitors per year to the town and 35 new jobs.

But residents in Quarry Road and surrounding areas say they have not been properly consulted about the proposals.

One of those residents is MSP Margaret McDougall who was inspired to call a public meeting to debate the issue.

The Labour politician was joined at the top of the table by campaigner and ex-MSP Rosemary Byrne who shared her experiences as part of the Save the Magnum group.

The meeting kicked off with open remarks from both who urged the community to get involved with the consultation.

“This is your meeting, I have called it so you can get your views heard about the lack of consultation with local people,” said Margaret.

“We want to know what your views are, I had a meeting a few weeks ago with North Ayrshire Council to ask them what was happening as they had not consulted with me either in my role as an MSP or as a resident. They need to listen to what we are saying.” Rosemary added: “Before the building of the new leisure centre started, we (the Save the Magnum group) got the first draft of the Vision for Irvine and we did not want another Magnum situation where the people of Irvine did not have their say.

“Nowhere in the draft did it say anything about Quarry Road, the first we heard of it was a display in the Bridgegate. I pointed out lots of issues with it. My fear is if we’re not out there asking the right questions, finding out exactly the impact it will have then we’ll be in the ‘done deal’ category again.

“It’s about you and whether you want something done about it.” The Times revealed last week how NAC claimed they would launch a “full-blown” consultation with the community to begin on Monday, August 24 until October.

SNP Councillor Marie Burns also stated that “nothing will be done without full engagement with the public.” From the outset, Margaret and Rosemary stressed that they were not there to voice their opposition to the plans but merely speak out against a supposed lack of consultation.

Traffic was unquestionably the biggest concern raised by those in attendance.

Crocus Grove resident John Reid said: “Something has to be done about the traffic, they have to get new roads built.

“I do not have any problem with certain developments but I have a problem with the complete and total disregard for the people who actually stay here.” Another resident added: “The biggest thing for me is the traffic, they made alterations to the Turf Corner 25 years ago and they’ve done nothing since.

“They need to fix the roads all the way up to Quarry Road before they can even look at building this.” A suggestion was also made to immediately introduce speed bumps in the street.

Many in attendance were in agreement with the plans, including Crocus Grove resident Peter Martin.

He said: “I would say this is a great start by the developers of this site. My son runs a juvenile football team and those fields at Quarry Road are a disgrace for football.” Mr Martin also echoed calls for more traffic provision in the area.

Irvine Labour Councillor Ian Clarkson made his feelings known at the meeting. He responded to one man’s call to “get rid of all councillors” before claiming the issue was down to party politics - blaming the SNP for the lack of consultation.

Vineburgh Community Centre manager Louise McPhater believed there is “total distrust across the board.” “Five years ago we got the plans for a development at Quarry Road,” she said.

“Then we walk into a meeting three or four weeks ago with the council to present it as their own vision. They’re not being truthful, the time has come for us to speak out. The elected members should be running North Ayrshire Council not the officers.” That comment drew rapturous applause from the audience.

Other issues raised at the lively meeting included potential piledriving at the site of the Quarry Road playing fields - formerly the site of the ancient Trindlemoss Loch. One resident said this could have a substantial impact to nearby residents.

One woman also questioned why the complex will be mainly used for football, arguing that other sports should be catered for.

It was agreed at the meeting’s conclusion that those in attendance would like to have another gathering in the near future.