Border Telegraph | News | Flooding risk puts elderly accommodation on hold

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 16th April, 2008 09:00

Flooding risk puts elderly accommodation on hold

By Ally McGilvray

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A DECISION on controversial plans to build much-needed sheltered housing for the elderly in Galashiels has been delayed amid flooding fears.

Glasgow-based developers McCarthy and Stone - the largest builder of private retirement homes and flats in the UK - hope to build 46 modern apartments at a former caravan storage yard in the town’s Huddersfield Street, near the Gala Water Retail Park.

They said that by raising the floor levels on the building they could remove it from the flood plain.

However, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has objected to the plans and planning officers recommended they be rejected.

And Scottish Borders Council planning officers recommended they be rejected.

Councillors on SBC’s planning and building standards committee discussed the planning application on Monday.

Local councillor John Hume, who requested the plans be continued to next month’s meeting to seek advice from the local authority’s flood risk prevention officer, said: “With an ageing population and shortage of sheltered housing, there is without doubt a need for this kind of housing in the area.

“But we really can’t put vulnerable people at risk where there is some flood risk.

“We need expert advice and I would hope the planners would work with the developers to look at the concerns.”

The meeting heard that if the council rejected SEPA’s advice and approved the plans the local authority could be held liable should the proposed apartments or neighbouring properties be flooded in future.

Councillors were also told the final decision on the development could be made by the Scottish Government – regardless of what they decide.

Should councillors ignore advice from the environmental watchdog or the developers lodge an appeal, a Scottish Government Reporter could be called in to make a ruling.

However, flooding was not a concern for some councillors who felt the derelict site was ideally placed for would-be residents near the shops, doctor’s surgery, church and bus routes.

Councillor Carolyn Riddell-Carre, Executive Member for Planning and Development, said: “The only thing I don’t like about these plans is the design – to me this echoes the worst of 1960s architecture in Galashiels.”

Councillor Nicholas Watson, of the Borders Party, agreed the architects could have taken some inspiration from the nearby mill when designing the plans.

But he said: “At least this development can make some benefit of the riverside setting which has been totally abused by all these new shops.”

Councillor Donald Moffat, Mid Berwickshire, added: “I think this site is needing developed and I am not prepared to listen to SEPA. We don’t want our elderly residents stuck out on another site in the middle of nowhere.”

Councillor Jim Fullarton, East Berwickshire, said: “This is a fantastic development for Galashiels and we should be bold and go for it.”

However, councillor Neil Calvert warned his colleagues against making a “rash” decision and the committee agreed to defer the plans to their next meeting to allow further talks.

Speaking after the meeting, McCarthy & Stone’s managing director in Scotland, Steve Wiseman, told the Border Telegraph: “We are pleased the council has agreed to reconsider our proposed development of private retirement apartments in Galashiels as it will provide an excellent facility for the town.

“Following detailed investigations by our experienced flooding consultants, we are confident there is little or no risk in terms of flooding.

“It is proposed to raise the ground floor of the building above Huddersfield Street which will provide safe access for the residents.

“The site is ideally situated close to the town centre and its amenities and we know from our research that there is keen demand from residents in and around Galashiels for all that our private sheltered housing scheme will offer.

“Added to which, we believe the high quality design of the building will be an asset to Galashiels.”

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