Councillors 'flabbergasted' by comments on new ambulance station at BGH

Ally McGilvray • Published 31 Oct 2012 06:30 2 Comments

COMMUNITY councillors this week admitted they were left "flabbergasted" by comments made by Scottish Borders Council's landscape architect on plans for a new ambulance station at Borders General Hospital near Melrose.

It follows a planning application by the Scottish Ambulance Service for a new depot to replace the current station in Galashiels which is due to be demolished to accommodate a new expanded Roxburgh Street medical practice.

Scottish Borders Council's landscape architect Jim Knight has called for the refusal of the application on its present location at land north west of the hospital due to concerns about the effect it could have on the nearby Eildon Hills.

Melrose and District Community Council this week revealed they supported the planning application. They pointed out they were keen to protect the Eildon Hills - a designated area of natural beauty - from development.

However, they admitted they were surprised the council's landscape architect had not commented on plans for the row of white houses at Trimontium Heights which it was claimed had more of an impact on the National Scenie Area.

Community councillor Tom Douglas said: "He (Mr Knight) should be reminded of these houses and told to paint them another colour."

NHS Borders has warned any delay to the planning process would push back the building of its new £1.8million health centre in Galashiels.

In his submission, Mr Knight wrote: "I have serious concerns that this proposal could damage the integrity of the Eildon Hills National Scenic Area by exposing both the development site and the larger BGH campus to public view directly in front of the hills which are the focal point of the NSA.

"I do accept that a site for the ambulance depot needs to be found, but suspect that the applicant is reluctant to give the alternative locations proper consideration."

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This article appeared in Border Telegraph 31 Oct 12

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• 

  Graham Roberts
  Unregistered User
  Nov 1, 19:04
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  Surely another fairly low build on the BGH site is not going to have a real affect on the Eildon Hills landscape. The white houses between the BGH and the Eildons have a far bigger impact on the scenic view.
  
  It also makes sense to centralise the ambulance station close to its biggest user. I would suggest that the junction to the bypass needs altering e.g. a roundabout which would give easier access to and from the BGH site and also slow the bypass traffic to a safer speed.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 5     No 1

• 

  angryang
  Unregistered User
  Nov 6, 10:48
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  The stupidity of SBC never fails to amaze me. Complete idiots with no common sense...
  
  Surely a fit for purpose ambulance station at the hospital takes priority over a pretty view?? The last thing on anyones mind when they are at the hospital is the stunning scenery.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

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