Police station plan revealed

THE former police station in Kirkcudbright could be transformed into a drop-in centre for young people with autism. There are also proposals to create holiday accommodation, workshops, and a computer room at the High Street location, writes Marc McLean. Catherine Phillips, founder of autism spectrum disorder charity Resonate: Creating Communities, has submitted a planning application to Dumfries and Galloway Council to bring the vacant buildings back into use. Although there has been eight objections from neighbouring residents, planner David Hearton is recommending approval. In a report, for today’s planning committee, he explains the site consists of a detached two-storey former police station, a detached mortuary, a block of five garages, and a garden. The former police station would have a drop-in centre on the ground-floor, a first-floor flat, and holiday accommodation unit in the cell block extension. The applicant wants four workshops in the garages, while the old mortuary would become a computer room. Mr Hearton wrote: “The drop-in centre is intended to offer a safe space and provide informal support to young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), whilst the flat is intended to provide specialist accommodation with support for four young people with ASD, but not for assisted living or care. “The holiday accommodation is intended to provide a means of income and financial support to the charity, whilst the workshop spaces are to be let to those with ASD and others, with each space to be tailored to a specific craft or trade, dependent on interest.” The objectors’ concerns are over increased traffic and loss of existing parking spaces, as well as a lack of clarity as to how the drop-in will be managed.

In addition, it’s feared it will contribute to an over-provision of holiday accommodation within Kirkcudbright.