In May 2013, a senior officer at South Ayrshire Council described the grass area along a part of Prestwick’s seafront as “a disused asset” before approving a 5 year lease of the land for £1 per annum.  The lease application did not go before a committee. In the SAC report written to support the lease, under the heading "Results of Public Consultation" it simply said one councillor supported the private company making the application, so lease was given on that bases, and no public consultation was done. We believe the reverse, it was a well used and liked recreation area.  The previous putting green, from 10 years ago, was open land all year round.  We believe an open, more welcoming putting green is what Prestwick deserves. We believe that new buildings should not be allowed on this open space, which is common good land. This part of the seafront is now inaccessible for eight or so months a year now, however the infrastructure remains.  Therefore, the Council has now made it “a disused asset” when it is closed and locked. In September 2012, planning permission for a small building and partial fence was granted to be built on this common good land.  No residents were given direct notice of the application.  Now that a fully enclosing fence and building are erected, the Council do not intend to follow up clauses in the lease agreement and planning application, that state that the structures must be of a “high quality” and “not visually intrusive”. We believe the currently the putting green is poor quality, with a farm yard style fence. The is building not in keeping with the rest of the prom, and positioned at the most visually intrusive position at the high point of the green.  At a recent Community Council Meeting, we were told by SAC Provost, “sue the Council” if you want change.   To fund the putting green, South Ayrshire Council awarded grants of at least £16,000 (£15,000 of this was from the South Ayrshire Waste and Environment Trust) to a private CIC company.  An additional £10,000 was awarded by the Lottery, and £1,000 from another Trust fund. A worrying precedent has being set, and one that we seek to highlight and reverse with your help: South Ayrshire Council has given planning permission on land that they are supposed to take care of on behalf of us all without involving the community. Which areas of the seafront will they seek to dispose of next? What kind of buildings will be allowed and where?  Will you get notification, so that you may object if you wish? Why doesn't SAC seek to enhance this area effectively? Why don't they engage with the community when making these major changes to one of our prime community assets - Prestwick Seafront.