Controversial care unit plan backed

Russell Steele • Published 4 Feb 2010 14:00

A PROPOSAL for a new council and health board care home in Gourock was narrowly backed by councillors yesterday.

Members of the planning board voted to give permission in principle for the 77-bed facility, which would be built on the site of the former Kempock House, in Kirn Drive.

Residents had expressed concern about the plans and senior social work officials addressed a public meeting on Monday evening in a bid to allay their fears.

Labour councillor Terry Loughran told the board many of the issues had been addressed but others remained.

He said: "Serious concerns were raised about traffic flow in Kirn Drive and that having such a unit could affect access and egress."

His Lib Dem counterpart Ciano Rebecchi said he shared the residents' views.

Councillor Rebecchi said: "There is an issue about parking here. People have got to be able to park and not block the streets."

Another councillor, Labour's Robert Moran, slammed the way the contentious proposal had been handled up until now.

He said: "There should have been a meeting held long before Monday night. It's not good enough. Yes, we need such a facility, but there should be a consultation. It's a last-minute job, as usual."

Due to reservations over car parking and public transport to the site, some councillors wanted to back a motion by the SNP's Innes Nelson, which would allow them to stall the application and hold a site visit.

But others pointed out the application was still in outline form and argued board members would get the chance to see it in detail at a later stage.

Mr Loughran said: "Yes, it would have been better to have had the public meeting sooner, but I would caution in terms of causing a delay.

"It's when we get to the inspection details that the important decisions will be taken.

"There is genuine and justified concern about traffic flow - and when the full proposal is put to us we will find out if it has been addressed."

Board members eventually voted 5-4 in favour of the bid.

They also accepted proposals for a new synthetic football pitch at Parklea and backed plans for a new £1m-plus community centre in Gibshill.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 04 Feb 10

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