South Council - Maidens Harbour Feasibility Study

APPENDIX D – HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

STUDY REPORT December 2012

This project is part-financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund through the INTERREG IVA Cross border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body and is part of the Sailwest initiative led by Donegal County Council. MAIDENS HARBOUR FEASIBILITY STUDY COMMUNITY QUESTIONNAIRE INTRODUCTION

South Ayrshire Council in conjunction with the Maidens Harbour Trust has commissioned consultants URS Ltd to undertake a feasibility study to prepare and review options for the future development of Maidens Harbour which has been at the heart of the Maidens community for over 100 years. In summary, the study investigations will include:- • Dredging of the harbour and renovation and repair works to the East breakwater. • Providing up to 100 pontoon berths within the existing shelter of the harbour walls and breakwater catering for local and visiting boats. • Providing shore based facilities e.g. clubhouse/bar/chandlery, toilets & showers, hard standing and storage. • Technical evaluation of local grid distribution system to support power from possible wind turbines. The overall aims of the project are to:- • Generate sufficient income from future Maidens Harbour users to allow the ongoing harbour repair and maintenance requirements to be sustainable. • Help create employment in the local area. • Revitalise Maidens Harbour as a central focus for the Maidens community. As part of the study investigations URS is undertaking a short survey (4 questions ) of all households within Maidens village seeking the local community’s views and opinions on the proposed development of Maidens Harbour. Accordingly, you are invited to complete and return this Community Questionnaire in the Reply Paid Envelope provided by Friday 27 th April 2012. All individual questionnaire responses will remain confidential and unattributable.

Q1. Are you supportive of the overall concept outlined above for the development of Maidens Harbour? (please tick box below)

YES NO

If answering “NO”, please outline why in the box below:

Q2. Please indicate which of the proposed individual project aspects you support, or otherwise. (please tick either “YES” or “NO” for each proposed project component)

PROPOSED PROJECT COMPONENT YES NO Harbour dredging Provision of pontoons for up to 100 berths Clubhouse Bar Chandlery Toilets & Showers Hard Standing & Storage (e.g. for boats out of sailing season ) Technical evaluations for Wind Turbines PTO

If answering “NO ” to any part of Q2 , please outline why in the box below:

Q3. Do you feel that there are any other development opportunities which should be considered for Maidens Harbour that would add to the overall project aims identified in the INTRODUCTION section of this questionnaire?

YES NO

If answering “YES ”, please outline the opportunities in the box below:

Q4. Do you have any other views/opinions that you would like to express on the proposed development of Maidens Harbour which are not covered by Q1 to Q3 above? (If so, please outline in the box below)

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Your contribution will be of great assistance in assisting us with our feasibility study assessment. Maidens Harbour Trust will keep you informed of the progress of the Maidens Harbour development considerations with Articles locally displayed and on the Maidens Harbour Trust website at www.maidensharbour.co.uk .

If you would like the Trust to keep you informed by email please tick the following box and add your email address below. Information by E-mail

QUESTIONNAIRE COMPLETED BY:-

Name:______

Address:______

Tel No:______

E-Mail:______

Please remember to return your completed Community Questionnaire to Ken Glass of URS Ltd at 23 Chester Street Edinburgh EH3 7EN in the Reply Paid Envelope provided.

If you have any queries with regards to this Maidens Harbour Feasibility Study Community Questionnaire, please do not hesitate to contact Ken Glass at the above address or on telephone No: 0131 718 5167 or by email to [email protected] Extra copies of this form are available at the Café and Post Office.

Maidens Harbour Feasibility Study

MAIDENS HOUSEHOLD SURVEY – OPEN QUESTION RESPONSES

Q1. Are you supportive of the overall concept for the development of Maidens Harbour? If answering “NO” please outline why. Moved to area for retirement - very much against a bar in the area. Sight of wind turbines would be even worse. It would be nice to hear comments from Council. Maidens is big enough, development of this scale will spoil the enjoyment and ambience for locals and visitors. The channel at entrance to the harbour ought to be a major priority not more pontoons. The dredging from the harbour is open to the public with a danger sign on it. Maidens is appropriately developed at present. The proposal would dramatically change village and we are absolutely opposed to such a radical change. Dredging is a waste of effort. Don't want windmills – they are technically flawed. Could use the tide to generate power and clear harbour mouth. Cannot see justification for any of the works proposed. East breakwater has been broken up by the Trust in the past 5 yrs and is now unsafe. Cannot see economic case for 100 berths or the village needing the potential extra visitors. Any shore facilities must be developed with the community not by any one group. Wind turbines are a non starter. Leave the village the way it is – as a historical fishing village. Dredging in the current format is unsustainable and deeply annoying (7am everyday including holidays and weekends). Any shore based facilities should be part of a wider community facility not owned/operated by the Trust. Wind turbines are a complete no! If this ends up going ahead the harbour will end up being sealed off with no access for any of the residents who enjoy the ambience of the place as it is. As far as creating employment for the community you would have to do more work and an in depth feasibility study "how many jobs" could be generated. There is not sufficient sailing in the exposed to generate much demand justifying expenditure of this scale. This could change the face of the village. Reason I moved here was for the peace and tranquillity. Please leave it well alone. It will leave the village too commercialised. Insufficient evidence as to where all the buildings for the items listed below. Why only where the boats will be and I think it is far too big a project for the village we enjoy. No, as don’t know where the buildings will be situated? Wind turbines would be a complete eyesore to this lovely area of Maidens instantly spoiling the lovely panoramic views which we benefit from and tourists alike. Against any wind turbines in or around Maidens harbour as they would spoil the landscape. Also the proposed clubhouse etc has not been shown on the map so therefore would need to know location before approval. Do not agree with the Maidens Harbour Trust and what they are all about! Maidens is a beautiful quiet place to live with abundant wildlife. It is tranquil and residents and holiday visitors value this above all. There are no pubs and it is safe to walk at night. Boats are adequately catered for at Harbour just a few miles away. The proposed development would spoil the quiet place that is enjoyed by many. Noise and appearance of wind turbines over-looking the harbour area. Having lived in Maidens for 6 years, the peace and tranquillity of the village has been ruined by the work that has been carried out during this time by ill-advised, untrained individuals using dangerous heavy machines with no regard for health and safety legislation or village residents or holidaymakers with extreme noise and disruption especially at weekends and holiday periods. We already have toilets. We certainly do not want wind turbines destroying the beautiful outlook.

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Maidens Harbour Feasibility Study

Q2. Please indicate which of the proposed individual project aspects you support, or otherwise. (please tick either “YES” or “NO” for each proposed project component) If answering “NO ” to any part of Q2 , please outline why. [The following represent the open-ended “NO” comments provided in respect of the “Technical Evaluations of Wind Turbines” project element] Village already has enough pollution in shape of caravans - turbines would add to this. Would spoil rather than benefit the area. Turbines take away from the village charm - would be an eye sore. An eye sore - not good for the scenery. Require more information on turbines- e.g. siting, size, and quantity. Wind turbines located within the confines of the harbour and the Maidens Rocks would ruin the clear views over Arran from all locations within the village and the bay. They'd be far too close to housing, create low frequency deeply resonating and disturbing noise pollution covering the entire village day and night. Turbines are very unsightly and would spoil magnificent views at Maidens. Turbines are an eyesore - and Largs already cater for this. Not keen on idea but open to suggestion. Erection of proposals will be vigorously challenged and based on precedent turbines in vicinity of Maidens will be rejected by planners on grounds of tourism/visual amenity. Would prefer solar not wind power. Wind turbines are a blot on any landscape and produce fractional electricity. Feel that wind turbines are best located in rural areas - nothing against wind turbines but Maidens has too large a population. Wind turbines are grossly inefficient. Only produce power 25% of the time, in addition to being a blot on the landscape. Seems to be little hard evidence that wind turbines offer a short or long term economic answer to energy provision. Sited on or near the coast by Maidens would be as big a disaster to the amenity of the area as the house recently built to the south of the harbour. Are there any other 'green' options available for generating electricity (wave/tidal?). Turbines are not always reliable when there is no wind or too much wind. Tall wind turbines would also spoil the views of one of the most beautiful coastlines in the UK. Would want to see a plan layout first. Wind turbines would be unsightly and detract from the rustic vision of the village. Against wind turbines if they would be close to the village as they are ugly and unsightly. Any of the shore based facilities have to be done as a community based project e.g. involving the community council. Not required due to the effect on natural scenery. Impact on scene aspect of village. It is not specified where any turbines might be located. At no time should they compromise the beauty of the bay which is a prime attraction in the village. No wind turbines - spoil scenery, they don't work properly, and they are noisy. I don't want to look at wind turbines from my window. Against turbines as unsightly. Wind turbines would change village character - solar panels could be used on buildings. Wind turbines will spoil the beautiful view. It has been proven these are not as effective as first thought. Noise and appearance of wind turbines over looking the harbour area.

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Maidens Harbour Feasibility Study

Q3. Do you feel that there are any other development opportunities which should be considered for Maidens Harbour that would add to the overall project aims identified in the INTRODUCTION section of this questionnaire? If answering “YES ”, please outline the opportunities. A sailing school for youths and adults. Small group of retail outlets for promotion of local artisans and farming produce. Information boards/trail for adults and children with maps and history info. Skateboard area. Communication boards - for the village and visitors. A “snack shack”. A part-time fish shop, e.g. Friday / Saturday morning selling fish to locals. Lookout for ornithologists. There are adequate litter facilities. Car parking - not enough at present with buses, caravans and cars parking on Harbour road outside homes. New path from playground to harbour at side of bowling club to accommodate wheelchair users. Tea shop selling cakes and sandwiches and to sit in, more sitting areas around the harbour area as currently not enough. If intention is to increase footfall in the village, provision of a larger shop (food, newsagents etc) would be helpful. Better public transport in evenings. Area badly needs another shop/tea room or upgrade of existing café. There are enough tourists in the area to merit a proposal. Maidens has lost its main meeting place for locals, the bar/restaurant. A community meeting place is required. Create a sustainable mixed use harbour - not just leisure sailing, small scale fishing and outdoor educational element. Consider tide flow through harbour wall and direct sand out of harbour mouth with intact breakwater. A larger car park would be needed. Small retail unit(s) for all weather clothing etc. Small workshops for craft related production. Small display space/gallery/harbour history. Swimming pool, if not feasible a paddling pool for children. Would like to see east corner made into beach area where locals could bathe and use small sailing vessels (canoes, dinghies). A community centre, including a bar that would benefit all people in the village. Not solely boat owners and club members. Stabilising the breakwater part of the pier out to the rocks - this is in poor repair and is hazardous to walk on. Repair the breakwater to allow access to Maidens rocks again. A return to public ownership - the Community Council perhaps? Open up the outer breakwater as the 3rd Marquess proposed. Remove the inner breakwater. Cottage industries - what government help is available to identify such industries? A go kart track, wall climbing, mini events. Any development opportunity that is market demand driven. I would like to have the Trust explore more niche markets e.g. sea kayaking which could draw specialist interests which are 'gaps' in the market for water based recreation. A museum incorporated in the bar/clubhouse dedicated to the area's history. Area of harbour left clear for local to swim. Improvements to the beachfront area, erosion defences and new beach front walkway. If wind turbines are not feasible, which in my view would include if they need to be higher than 15m, perhaps PV panels would be an option, and probably cheaper. Re-instate the opening off the harbour to keep the harbour flushed without continual dredging - which is a health & safety issue. Would rather have a community centre. Tea room in vicinity of harbour. Gift shop / tea shop / craft shop. Sailing and canoeing lessons. Any development opportunities should be led by the Community not the Maidens Harbour Trust.

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Maidens Harbour Feasibility Study

Q4. Do you have any other views/opinions that you would like to express on the proposed development of Maidens Harbour which are not covered by Q1 to Q3? It would be nice to have a café or similar facility at the top of the harbour for locals and visitors. I would like to see where clubhouse would be sited. As a boat owner I want to see the harbour dredged so can be used at all times of the tide. A proper path or walkway around the grassed area next to the water would be an advantage. A clubhouse/bar would be a good addition - special events for young people and senior citizens - due to loss of community hall village has lost heart and soul of the community. A breakwater running west from elbow of east breakwater would provide shelter from the NE wind - only wind likely to damage pontoons. It’s important to have continued access to the harbour walk. Speed bumps should be considered if traffic increases. There has been a recent increase in "boy racers" in the area – a bar may increase attraction of area to them. I would like to know where buildings will be sited? Access to the harbour must be retained for the public. The beach area and grass area should be cleared of litter and seaweed all year round. A shore sidewalk with toilet facilities at Ardlochan Beach area is required – the existing path is overgrown. The clubhouse/bar proposal must be available for all of the local community - i.e. not just a private members club. People need somewhere for funeral teas, fund raisers and socialising. A technical assessment only for wind turbines isn't enough – there is a need to assess planning issues and how much commercial benefit funds could be generated and how they could be reinvested. At the moment the committee is not capable of such a large commitment and is very much divided. The whole place is an eyesore at present. This feasibility study for Maidens is only depriving another community of putting a grant to good use. The gabions in the seating area are already subsiding and were only put there a few months ago. Maidens Harbour Trust Committee does not have the expertise or unity to go ahead with their plans. Work already carried out by the Harbour Trust already has been of great benefit, appropriate in scale and meets local need and aspiration. The project would be of great benefit to the whole area, not just Maidens, and would attract more tourism and money to Ayrshire. The project could be linked to the regeneration in Girvan etc. The Trust's views are affected by vested interest; they mean well but are flawed. I hope the local community is not stopped from walking the harbour or priced out of using it as a result of any development proceeding. Ensure development is undertaken using local companies and organisations, local to Maidens – not wider . This creates employment within the local area. I would like to see all jobs related to this project go to local people. Any development that generates wealth and employment would be welcome. However, thought should also be given to re-introducing facilities to help regenerate a community spirit within the village. Developments should also blend with the local scenery and not detract from beautiful views. The developments so far here have been a pleasure to see. At the moment I live in Maidens during my holidays until I can retire, so I am delighted to hear of future development. The Harbour Trust does not have the capacity to take this on. No contact has been made with the original donors (Cassillis Estate) who also still own part of the land on which the harbour buildings sit. Working over holiday weekend shows complete insensitivity as does any consideration of wind turbines. This is not acceptable. I’m not completely sure regarding the storage proposal for boats, it would depend on its size and where it’s situated. The Harbour Trust has not demonstrated that they are capable of delivering. They have hidden away from community views/consultation and offers of help/assistance are shunned. Existing road access to Maidens is not the best. I am apprehensive that development will destroy the distinctive nature of Maidens.

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Maidens Harbour Feasibility Study

Q4. Do you have any other views/opinions that you would like to express on the proposed development of Maidens Harbour which are not covered by Q1 to Q3? (CONTINUED) Cease all current operations. They pollute, are noisy, unsafe, disturb wildlife and are not structured. I feel the existing gear sheds could be cleaned up and old machines should be hidden or disposed of. The Maidens 'offer' should be distinctive and not compete with other stronger 'products' available on the Clyde coast, e.g. Troon, Largs, , Girvan. Any purely 'supply or 'product' led development will not succeed - it must be demand or market driven so 'market studies' are needed. I believe development is positive as long as consideration is given to the beauty of the area and it does not appear over developed. The introduction of pontoons for pleasure boats should not preclude possibilities for any who want to register a fishing boat at the harbour. Any development must be kept true to the aspect of a traditional Scottish fishing village. Think the harbour should be more community driven for everyone to use. There are a few villagers who are not prepared to welcome change or progress. I would like to know where the proposed buildings etc were to be built so I feel the population need to be consulted about this. Cleaning of the beach the litter is a disgrace to visitors and tourism - plant some wild flowers or similar where they dumped silt from dredging. This is part-financed with EU development funds, would be interested to know where other finance will come from, especially given the current economic climate. The village should return to the tranquil oasis it has been renowned for in the past. The Maidens Harbour Trust should not be allowed to move vast amounts of sand etc out of Council property which may have been previously set aside for wildlife. Revenue might be good for the harbour, but the intrusion into the outlook would not be. Would be worth finding out if grid infrastructure could support some form of power generation from wave/tidal flow. The harbour is a source of local disharmony due to lack of public consultation. All these proposals would entail major change adversely affecting village life. Bar/community hall could be beneficial but not as part of the Harbour Trust - they have no ground for expansion. The Harbour Trust has received poor advice. Continuous dredging is required but better environmental and sustainable solutions available. Not sure about the storage of boats, I fear of the impact on scenic aspect of the village. We have just completed a community futures report for the village. Any facilities should be for the wider community - with the wider community - not driven by the Harbour Trust. Not sure we need or want more transient visitors to the village, as there are enough caravans already. What is there for them in the village? - Not 100 additional berths as the plan shows. Hard standing leads to scrap parts and boats being left or abandoned and "what about waste removal?" A bar would attract probably the undesirable type of person as the bar would have to be open all year round to maintain a profitable investment. There is no demand for multiple boat berths. I cannot give proper consideration as you have not provided details of where you propose building clubhouse, bar, chandlery, toilets and showers, hard standing and showers and storage. Wind turbines are a definite “no”. The space or land doesn’t exist for it all. I feel this is a small fishing village and should stay that way, upgrade what we have already. I think it would be unwise to plan a development that might have local potential competition (e.g. Girvan Harbour) for the same market segment. Any project should be distinctive and complement other resources. Who will these proposals benefit and where will they be situated? Turbines would spoil Maidens – I don't feel harbour is a suitable location. Would strongly disagree with siting them there. Maidens would benefit from a bar/clubhouse but not uniquely for the sailing community. This should be for the community.

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