Council Upholds Refusal of Children's Care Home Plans
Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) has upheld its decision to refuse plans for a children's residential care home in the small hamlet of Milton near Crocketford in southern Scotland. The proposal involved converting Corbridge House into a facility capable of accommodating up to four young people with complex needs.
The applicant, CareTech, argued that Corbridge House was an ideal location for the care home, citing its "tranquil yet easily accessible setting" as a key advantage.
Despite these arguments, the case was escalated to the Scottish government for appeal. A government reporter reviewed the proposal and concluded that the site would be "heavily car dependent" due to its remote rural location, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.
Initial Council Decision and Local Objections
In September of the previous year, officials had recommended approval of the plans. However, councillors ultimately rejected the proposal. The local authority received multiple objections from residents who expressed concerns that the care home would be "completely incompatible with the existing peaceful ambience of the area." Following the refusal, CareTech chose to appeal the decision.
Scottish Government Reporter’s Findings
The Scottish government reporter examined the concerns raised by nearby residents. Some issues were dismissed, with the reporter stating there was "no evidence to support concerns raised in representations that children in care may be more likely to cause problems."
"I also have difficulty with the contention in representations that a rural area such as this is an inherently unsuitable location for children to live,"
Despite this, the reporter expressed significant concerns regarding transportation and accessibility. He noted the likelihood of numerous private car journeys associated with the facility.
"I do not consider it realistic that staff would ordinarily commute using public transport, given the site's remoteness, infrequency of bus services in Milton, and relative inconvenience compared to using a car,"
The reporter also highlighted the scarcity of nearby amenities, emphasizing the distances to local villages and towns.
"The nearest village of Crocketford is approximately 3.8km (2.4 miles) away but has very limited services,"
"Springholm appears to be slightly better served but is around 7.5km (4.6 miles) away."
He further noted that Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, and Dumfries are all located at greater distances and require travel on some "narrow roads."
Conclusion and Appeal Outcome
Taking all factors into account, the reporter concluded that the care home would be more appropriately situated in a location "less reliant on private car journeys." Consequently, the appeal was refused, maintaining the council's original decision.
