A farmer has expressed “bemusement” at a Scottish Government reporter’s decision to turn down an appeal for the creation of holiday accommodation for disabled people in a rural part of North East Fife.
Moira Henderson, of Ring Farm, near Craigrothie, told The Courier the decision to refuse planning permission for a self-catering cottage at Ring Farm is “hugely disappointing”, not only for her, but for those people with disabilities who find their holiday options severely limited.
Mrs Henderson, former chairwoman of the Scottish Egg Producers Retail Association, has farmed at Ring Farm with her husband David for 25 years and lodged an application for a two-storey building with eight bedrooms, designed especially for people with disabilities, including the deaf and blind.
Fife Council’s North-East Fife area committeerefused planning permission in March, deeming the building too big for its location.
The proposal attracted several objections, including one from Ceres and District Community Council, with concerns it would dominate the landscape.
There was also significant support, with tourism body VisitScotland claiming there was a shortage of such accommodation in the area and the holiday home would provide a boost to the economy.
Mrs Henderson appealed the decision to the Scottish Government, stating the goal was to attain five-star grading in self-catering accommodation, with the aim of enabling all members of a family or group to holiday together in sustainable tourism facilities.
Now, Scottish Government reporter Janet McNair has rejected the appeal on grounds which include the site being not well-placed with regard to accessibility to local services and facilities, and the provision of safe and convenient access.
In addition, she considered that, because of its large size, scale and appearance, the building would appear visually intrusive in this location and would not make a positive contribution to its immediate environment and would not be appropriate to its setting.
Describing the decision as a “lost opportunity”, Mrs Henderson said: “A few years ago, my cousin developed a life-changing paralysing disease.
“As he deteriorated, he paid to go into a hospice to allow his family to go on holiday… without him. But that’s not what holidays are all about it’s about relaxing in a nice environment with family or friends.
“It’s about recharging batteries, building and strengthening relationships and creating happy memories that last a lifetime.
“At present, there are only five accommodation providers in the whole of Scotland that offer hoisting facilities for guests.
“People like my cousin and my mum, who suffered a severe stroke, required hoisting facilities, but choices are few are far between.
“As a former nurse, I have been on a four-year mission to address a lack of choice for those requiring good, accessible accommodation, focusing on wheelchair users, especially those who require hoist facilities.
“It has the potential to change lives, yet it has been turned down because ‘it would be much larger’ than neighbouring properties, despite the fact this is what I have planning permission in principle to build.
“But perhaps most baffling of all is the planning appeal reporter’s assertion that it ‘would make it difficult for pedestrians and those with disabilities to travel along the road safely’.
“Fife Council transportation has twice approved the application in principle and in detailed planning.
“It reminded me of the words of Karen Darke, the Paralympic cyclist, who said: ‘I have climbed up Mount Kilimanjaro so don’t tell me I can’t make it up your stairs. Just give me the information and I will decide’.”
“I believe that the decision to deny planning permission is a missed opportunity for Fife to show it is at the forefront of accessible tourism.”