Planning hearing for former hospital site set for next week

Aug 15 2008 by Iain Pollock, Dumfries Standard Friday

A PLANNING hearing on proposals for a development on the site of a former maternity hospital in Dumfries will be held on Monday.

Meridian Residential wants to build 29 flats in Charnwood Road but has thrice been rejected by the council.

Nithsdale regulatory committee last turned down Meridian’s planning application in April.

Officials had recommended approval for the scheme but councillors voted 11-3 against.

And that prompted an appeal by the developer to the Scottish Executive.

The planning hearing will be held at the Municipal Chambers in Buccleuch Street on Monday.

Two neighbouring residents, Alex Inman of Ardwall Road and Mike Jardine from Charnwood Road, will address the inquiry on behalf of objectors.

Opponents to the flats claim the development would have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the area and road safety.

The first application for the site, to build 27 flats and two detached houses, was turned down April 2005.

In April last year, a plan to build 36 flats was also knocked back.

The 150-year-old Charnwood House, a former maternity hospital, occupied the site until it was demolished in 2005.