Girvan’s Victory Park will be home to a new £850,000 million 3G playing field - despite strong opposition.

The sacred area was gifted to the people by the Dalrymple-Hamilton family.

Changes to the use of the land did not get majority support during a consultation, the South Ayrshire Council Leadership Panel heard this week.

The council intend to lodge a petition with the sheriff to get permission to make it happen.

Claire Monaghan, council head of policy, performance and communication, said Girvan doesn’t have another site large enough to hold a pitch within easy reach of schools.

Speaking at the Leadership Panel meeting, she said Girvan is currently the only “main population” town in South Ayrshire without such a facility.

Residents voiced worries the move could pave the way for more building on the plot but officials said there are no intentions for further development.

There are also concerns about the impact on the annual Lowland Gathering festival held in the park.

Councillor Brian McGinley said: “Common good land is for leisure use.”

Describing the state of the site in question as boggy and prone to flooding, he said modernising it would increase usage.

The depute council leader said investment in the ground is badly needed and there is no alternative.

Pointing out the popularity of 3G pitches in Troon, Councillor Philip Saxton said: “There is an over demand for pitches at Marr College. We need another one.”

The Labour councillor quipped if it doesn’t happen in the Carrick town, Troon would take the money for an additional 3G pitch instead.

SNP Councillor William Grant said: “Thousands of people in the Girvan area deserve this facility.”

Fewer than half – 41 percent of people consulted want the 3G pitch at Victory Park.

The new pitch will only take up a portion of the park.

Councillors gave the go-ahead for the petition to be presented to the sheriff at the meeting on Tuesday.

The Advertiser explained last week that the majority of residents who partipcated in the consultation opposed the pitch being constructed in Victory Park, despite it being voted as the popular option.