PLANS TO ‘cash in’ the Scottish Agricultural College’s Auchincruive estate have been overtaken by events and should be thrown out in favour of reinstating the site’s educational role, it was claimed this week.

Dramatically reigniting the campaign to save the Auchincruive campus, the Ayrshire region of the National Farmers Union Scotland has put its name to a formal objection to the SAC’s redevelopment plan for the site.

Pointing out that the recession had stifled interest in the proposed hotel, golf course, equestrian centre and business park – none of which had progressed since the plan was put in place in 2007 – the Ayr region insisted that the most worthwhile use of the estate was as a centre of agricultural learning.

In a letter to South Ayrshire Council, the region noted that only the housing development aspect of the SAC plan seemed likely to go ahead in present circumstances – but should not be allowed to proceed in isolation.

“NFUS Ayrshire region strongly objects to both the size and particularly the positioning of the housing development. It would result in the demolition of the farm buildings, cut the estate in two and make it impossible for Auchincruive to run as a working and teaching farm ever again.

“John M Hannah gifted Auchincruive free to the nation with the sole condition that it be used as a centre of excellence for rural education and research – the members of the Ayrshire region NFUS strongly disapprove of a scheme that destroys one man’s vision and forethought.

“The SAC should be encouraged to reconsider its whole education strategy. Auchincruive has a vital part to play in the future of the rural industry.”

Local opposition to the closure of Auchincruive has been rumbling along since the plan was first mooted in 2001, when SAC insisted its long-standing three campus arrangement was no longer financially viable.

“If a week is a long time in politics, then nine years is an eternity,” noted the Ayrshire region. “The world has moved on. In 2010, there is a bigger emphasis and recognition of the dangers of climate change, there is a need to feed a burgeoning world population.”

In those circumstances, argued the Ayr region, the 800 acre Auchincruive estate was an agricultural teaching and research asset that the industry and the government should act to protect.

Responding on behalf of the SAC, a spokesman said: “SAC is committed to the provision of first-rate higher education for students in Ayrshire, and in October 2011 will be moving its teaching facilities to the new £70m campus now being developed in Ayr.

“This is an iconic development which will provide purpose-built facilities for students, in a modern building. The planning application in question follows extensive preparation by SAC. We carried out a programme of community engagement and meetings with politicians, planners and other stakeholders and the responses were generally very supportive.

“We would be happy to discuss any concerns the NFUS in Ayrshire may have.”