By Paul Reoch

CONTROVERSIAL PLANS by NHS Tayside to redevelop Murray Royal Hospital in Perth at a cost of £68 million were approved yesterday by Perth and Kinross Council.

At a specially convened meeting in the Dewar’s Centre, Perth, members of the council’s development control committee unanimously passed a motion by Councillor Archie MacLellan to agree to the outline plan to build a secure unit with 67 beds.

There will also be an extension of general psychiatry (60 beds) and psychiatry of old age (30 beds).

NHS Tayside have said around 180 jobs would be created through the proposal.

A condition there should be a 25-metre landscaped strip between the walled garden at the current football pitch and the hospital entrance at Gannochy Road was also passed.

Concerns had previously been expressed from Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council and also members of the mental health forum PLUS regarding the loss of open space.

But Councillor MacLellan told the meeting yesterday that he was impressed by the approach taken by Danny McLaren, assistant chief executive of NHS Tayside.

“The community and the carers have expressed strong concerns over the medical facilities being contained on what they see as a relatively small space,” he said.

“But NHS Tayside have now confirmed in writing that potential bidders will not be required to restrict their plans to the indicative area shown in the outline planning application.

“In addition, NHS Tayside have confirmed that they will not dispose of any part of Murray Royal ground until final planning consent has been given and they will work with the local community to examine future uses of the site that will include the listed main building.

“The fears expressed that not enough green space has been left for therapeutic purposes and that there is insufficient room for expansion are understandable, but this is an outline application only and this can be dealt with in future detailed planning applications.”

Councillor Willie Wilson, convener of the development control committee, told the meeting this application should be treated as “new” after two previous deferrals.

Mr McLaren said that the £68 million redevelopment will consist of “high quality, clinical” facilities. And he gave an undertaking that no land will be disposed of until the final plans have been agreed.

He said, “It will bring significant benefits and state-of-the-art facilities to the people of Perth and Kinross who suffer from mental health illnesses. NHS Tayside has been working hard to develop these proposals but it’s not been as successful as we would have liked.”

There were many objectors to the plans and this included a letter read on behalf of Pete Wishart, MP for Perth and North Perthshire, who recommended refusal.

“The Murray Royal site is a treasured and important resource for the people of Perth. It is an amenity that has become a valued feature and has long been associated with the treatment and assistance of those with mental health problems,” he said.

“I am of the opinion that these plans—as currently outlined—threaten the unique quality of the Murray Royal site and can not be approved as they currently stand. I am disappointed that the NHS have not taken on board the suggestions of local people and amended their plans for the site but instead, intransigently brought back the same disputed proposals without amendment or consideration of local opinion.

“I remain unconvinced that NHS Tayside’s plans are in the best interests of residents, patients and the general environment of Perth and I very much hope that this committee do not approve these plans.”

Roddy Young, Perth Civic Trust chairman, added, “These plans have left a sour taste in the mouths of local people. We have to establish a good working relationship with NHS Tayside and part of the problem could be solved by providing a strategic environment assessment. Murray Royal is quality open space and has a long history associated with the Kinnoull Hill area of Perth.”

Richard Salvin, chairman of Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council, and a former architect, said that he felt NHS Tayside had not “grasped” the neighbouring community’s concerns.

“We are still waiting for the projected rates of absconders from the new medium secure unit,” he said. “This committee should consider that this will be a sprawling, over-developed concrete jungle.”

Resident James Fleming said the council’s planning department “should be ashamed of themselves” and accused them of using “bullying” tactics.

Resident Craig Harvey expressed his concerns at the possibility of escapees from the medium secure unit proposed for Murray Royal.

Alex Murray, who lives in the surrounding area, said, “Murray Royal Hospital was provided by James Murray more than 170 years ago. Its location is second to none, and we would destroy it at our peril.

“The plans are like those of an abstract artist and that is not the future we want for our community. The proposals should be thrown out entirely.”

But Roland Bean, head of forward planning with the council, said that the planned redevelopment was a “paradox.”

“This £68 million plan will bring 100 jobs to the area,” he said. “It’s a real irony that there is economic and considerable social considerations but there is also the technical aspect.”

Following the council’s decision several members of the public confronted Councillor MacLellan, with one saying, “You should be ashamed of yourself—you don’t live in the area.”

A separate application by NHS Tayside to build 200 houses on the site has been withdrawn.