Care home plans upset residents

RESIDENTS in a hamlet near Castle Douglas are strongly objecting to plans for a new children’s care home in their community.

The Caretech Group is seeking approval for the change of use of Corbridge House in Milton to become a residential care home for four children and staff.

However, their proposal has attracted 41 objections, with many locally describing it as ‘incompatible’ with the local area.

Due to the volume of opposition, the matter will go before the council’s planning next week for determination.

And case officer Chris McTeir is recommending that they approve it.

He has argued that the new operation would not be ‘significantly dissimilar to its existing residential use as a dwellinghouse’.

He further adds: “Given the application site’s location next to the public road, it is not considered that there would be any greater impacts on noise or overlooking than could be generated by a large family dwelling.”

While noting the high number of representations and their concerns, Mr McTeir added: “Whilst the points made on valid planning matters are a material consideration of some weight, these have been considered and they are not considered to be sufficient to override the weight given to determine the application.”

Furthermore, he makes reference to the well-publicised shortage of care home places in the region for children and the subsequent pressure and financial cost that has meant for the local authority.

However, his comments have ruffled feathers locally, with objectors stating “it is misleading to compare a residential home to one used by a large family”.

They have also expressed fears over an increase in noise levels from property and note that “previous developments of this type in the region have been classified as “Bad Neighbour”, also pointing out that there’s no precedent for a facility of this nature within a hamlet as small and rural as Milton.

In addition, they believe such a care home would be completely incompatible with the existing peaceful ambience of the area; and given it will be a secure facility, surrounded by a 1.8m high fence, that it will be out of character with neighbouring properties.

The matter will be discussed and decided in Dumfries on Thursday.