COUNCILLORS have demanded to see the public feedback on the plans to revamp two of Lockerbie’s parks.
Members of the Lockerbie and Lochmaben Common Good Committee were meant to be giving the green light for the schemes at a meeting last week.
But they complained they were being left in the dark and needed more information to make a proper decision.
And they were particularly keen to know residents’ views on the plans for McJerrow and King Edward’s parks, gathered by the Lockerbie Trust at a series of consultation events.
Annandale North Cllr Carolyne Wilson said: “We have not been given the fullest of information to make a decision.
“We have not had any sight of the engagement feedback other than what I have seen and heard myself. If Lockerbie Trust want us to make a decision, we really need to see that information.”
She also called for extra detail on the paths, lighting and security cameras, as well as ongoing costs.
Taking up the baton, fellow Annandale North Councillor Stephen Thompson said: “There’s a real dearth of information.
“I had assumed feedback would be presented to members before making our decision.”
He described the ‘complex relationship between Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Lockerbie Trust’, adding: “I would think in good faith any organisation for the benefit of Lockerbie would want to present the information so we could take a good decision, especially given the significant sums of money which is the envy of many other communities.
“There appears to be a real reluctance, I am sure it’s not the case, to share the consultation side of things.”
Meanwhile, ward officer Steven Wyllie revealed that Lockerbie Trust members are keen to see the project delivered by the end of the year. “That would be their expectation,” he said.
But Cllr Thompson hit back: “There’s certainly elements (of the design) where anecdotally the feedback was very positive and other elements where anecdotally it was less so and negative.
“But anecdotally is not good enough to take a council decision on and really I would have expected to see more.”
Following the frank discussion, committee members agreed to formally request the trust release the feedback to them.
