The titanic tug-of-war over a Stonehaven park will continue after councillors ignored warnings that failing to resolve the issue will “cause ructions in the community”.
Mackie RFC is eager to take over Forest Park from Aberdeeshire Council, to help secure its future and train the next generation of local rugby players.
Ahead of crunch talks today, battle lines were drawn between the club and locals desperate to save the “beloved” green space popular with dog walkers.
Stonehaven divided over Forest Park plans
A total of 205 people wrote to the local authority urging it to sell Forest Park to Mackie RFC for the token sum of £1.
But 167 opponents pleaded against the community asset transfer, bolstered by a petition backed by 1,165 others.
The matter was due to come to a head this afternoon, with council officers urging the Kincardine and Mearns area committee to hand over the site.
But Conservative councillor Shirley Burnett raised concerns about what would happen to Kinneff Tug of War Club if displaced from their training ground under the plans.
And she suggested members should not make any decision until seeing the park for themselves.
‘There will be disappointment from both sides…’
This interjection came as representatives from Mackie RFC and the campaign group were waiting in the wings to have their say.
And SNP Stonehaven councillor Dawn Black said delaying matters could cause some consternation.
She added: “I feel that a delay in decision is, in the community, going to cause an awful lot of ructions.
“I would be mindful about that in the decision made just now.
“There will be disappointment from both sides if we defer.”
We spoke to campaigners fighting to save Stonehaven’s Forest Park last October:
Do you think the council should hand over the park? Let us know in our comments section below
Forest Park delay means more time to campaign
Ultimately, members voted 7-3 to defer the decision for a site visit.
After the meeting, the Save Forest Drive Park group urged their followers on social media to write to committee members “outlining why the proposal should be rejected”.
They said: “As frustrating as it is to see this decision deferred, it is reasonable and fair that councillors ensure they are making a decision fully informed, and so we welcome their decision to hold a site visit.
“Neither ourselves or the rugby club were given the opportunity to speak today, but we’ll be happy to do so when the committee next meets.
“While this is frustrating, it does give us further time to ask people to write to the councillors on the committee to outline why this proposal should be rejected.”
Why does Mackie RFC want Forest Park?
The rugby club previously leased two pitches at Redcloak but are now down to one there.
They want to build two new pitches, a training area and gym, clubhouse, changing rooms and storage facilities at Forest Park.
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