Parents demand answers in Portmahomack park wrangle

FURIOUS parents are demanding answers after play park equipment in an Easter Ross community was ripped out without warning.

Highland Council is now being challenged over the legality of the move after it emerged that the developer of the local estate surrounding the park had himself forked out thousands of pounds for a facility regarded as a major asset by locals living there.

Residents in Portmahomack are also furious that follow-up enquiries about ownership of the land and the legalities of the situation have met with a wall of silence over the past four months.

The wrangle centres on the Knockshortie facility – ironically normally a magnet for children during the long school summer holiday period.

Swings and a slide were amongst the equipment removed – with only a climbing frame left behind.

Local mum Jackie Thornhill, who also sits on Tarbat Community Council, said she had been shocked to see contractors swoop without notice back in January and start removing equipment.

"No one had any idea this was happening but it turned out that a decision had been made by Highland Council back in August 2017. I said you can’t do that – no one has been notified about this. The guys just said they were acting on instructions."

Hamish Mackenzie of Tarbat Community Council wrote to Highland Council chief executive Steve Barron back in June after receiving apologies in January from local authority community services staff for the lack of warning.

They said the equipment was removed on health and safety grounds – a reason given in other similar instances across the region.

However Mr Mackenzie says follow-up enquiries for details about land ownership and the legalities of the situation have not been responded to months later.

"The first choice is to get Highland Council to continue to maintain the park in accordance with the original agreement. People certainly feel short-changed by the council.

"People are also aware of things like threats to toilet provision and grass not being mowed. We seem to have an endless series of services being cut, often without any notice."

He added: "I understand budget pressures but we will fight when things are taken away without any warning, particularly when we see no justification for it."

He said the developer of the Knockshortie Estate, Micky Austin was "staggered" to learn of the latest development having paid £18,000 towards the cost of the playpark, which he had assumed would continue to be maintained and available to locals. He said: "He is a public spirited person and has developed a nice estate. A play park lets children to get outside and away from gadgets and devices. It’s a great tragedy."

Question marks though remain for the community over the legality of the move. Many on the estate feel cheated that a facility which helped attract them in the first place has been stripped away – while others say Highland Council has "played the health and safety card" without justification.

They are now left seeking answers and facing the prospect of potentially having to raise thousands to replace the facility.

Tain and Easter Ross councillor Derek Loudon said: "Highland Council officers have ordered a search of the Land Register and the Register of Sasines to clarify ownership. "This will allow what is a very pro-active community to acquire or lease the land for a lottery or other funding bid. That is a prerequisite for any lottery bid. Let’s hope the community gets a quick turnaround and are able to buy the equipment needed and get it ready for next summer."

Highland Council was approached for comment but had not responded as we went to press.

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