A GROUP of Ardrossan residents are mourning the loss of a precious patch of green space after the council replaced it with a concrete wasteland.

Five months ago, North Ayrshire Council contractors felled a cherry tree, uprooted shrubs and dug up the grass at the corner of Ailsa Gardens and Park View replacing it with stark grey concrete slabs.

Since the brutal ‘remodelling’ John Campbell, who lives next to the site, has been plagued by kids playing football and kicking their ball against his fence – despite the Council erecting a ‘No Ball Games’ sign.

Self-employed plumber John said: “The sign is like a red rag to a bull.

"The weans have broken my outside light and damaged my satellite dish with the ball coming over the fence and now they are lobbing stones at my greenhouse out of spite after I chased them.

“When I complained to the council they said the area was being used as a dumping ground which it wasn’t.

“I’ve lived here 18 years and I’ve never had any problems until the council cleared the ground.

“The community is gutted about the loss of the cherry tree.” Elderly residents at George Aitken Court which overlooks the area were equally upset.

One said: “That tree blossomed every year and there was nothing wrong with it.” A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “As part of the council’s estate based project initiative, various improvements were undertaken within a small area of land in Ailsa Gardens, Ardrossan.

“These improvements were supported by the local community and the Ardrossan area housing office.

“In response to feedback now received, the council has agreed to plant a number of trees and shrubs and to install a ‘no ball games’ sign in the area.

“The local housing office is aware of the reported vandalism issues and council officers are now in communication with the Community Police on the issue.”